Chelsea’s Emma Hayes was formally named the new head coach of the US women’s team but she won’t take over the four-time Women’s World Cup winners until May, leaving her a short time with the team before it begins play in the Paris Olympics in late July.
Interim coach Twila Kilgore will continue to lead the team until Hayes’ arrival after the Women’s Super League season ends, and then she will become one of her assistants.
“This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” Hayes said in a prepared statement on Tuesday.
“The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels.”
Financial terms of her contract were not made public, but US Soccer said Hayes is set to become “the highest paid women’s soccer coach in the world.”
Chelsea had announced this month that the 47-year-old Hayes was leaving the defending league champions at the end of the season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.” Hayes has won 14 major trophies at Chelsea, including six WSL titles.
Ahead of Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Everton last weekend, Hayes would not comment on speculation she had agreed to terms with the US. She said she was stepping down to spend more time with her 5-year-old son, citing both long hours and a lengthy commute.
