Emma Hayes has been the unofficial spokesperson for women’s football in this country for the last decade.
She didn’t ask to be put in that position, but she has carried the burden without complaint. For the most part, she has come with praise and applause after years of success in the field.
He probably knew there would come a time when he would have to weather a storm. The last month has brought scrutiny like he has never faced before.
Chelsea have missed out on two trophies in their last two games. First was the defeat in the League Cup final against Arsenal. It was a close game in which a clinical moment made the difference. Chelsea could have quickly moved on from that disappointment if it hadn’t been for what happened next.
To make a long story short of what is now a well-known story: Hayes pushed Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall and then accused him of showing “masculine aggression” on the touchline. She was widely criticized, but the international break gave her two weeks to let the dust settle.
Emma Hayes has faced scrutiny after losing her cool as Chelsea manager in recent weeks.
He was always going to be asked about the incident when Chelsea returned to action, and instead of apologizing, which would have put an end to the matter, he recited a Robert Frost poem.
It’s not uncommon for Hayes to give unusual answers at news conferences. Over the years we’ve had cat noises, goose analogies, and Star Wars references. The poem was different because it was used to deflect from a negative situation, which Hayes is not used to.
If Chelsea had beaten Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, the narrative would have changed. His defeat has only increased scrutiny.
The last two games, along with Hayes’ recent comments about relationships between players being “inappropriate,” which he later retracted and apologized for, have painted a picture that he is somehow losing his way, running the risk of damaging his legacy.
In football it is easy to be reactive. Yes, it’s been a bad month for Hayes. Yes, he has done and said things that perhaps he would not have done in the past. But this is a woman who was paid £12,000 a year when he first took over at Chelsea. She is a woman who has taken a club from mediocrity to excellence. One bad month doesn’t change that.
Hayes and Eidevall (centre) clashed last month before the Chelsea manager accused his counterpart of “masculine aggression”.
Hayes was frustrated by Eidevall’s alleged behavior in the League Cup final and pushed the Arsenal manager
The Chelsea manager refused to retract her comments and opted to recite a poem.
Being at the top can be exhausting. Hayes has spoken this season about the loneliness of management and how, at times, she has felt exhausted. In response to a question about what success would look like this season, she responded, “Making it out alive.”
The suggestion that Hayes is beginning to believe his own advertising is wrong. Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola would not be accused of that deficit.
However, comparisons can be made between Hayes and Klopp. Both announced that they would leave their clubs mid-season.
Some argued that it was beneficial for that news to be public, that it would stop speculation. But in both cases the players may be feeling additional pressure from the need to provide an adequate outlet for their long-time coaches.
Like Hayes, Klopp has had moments where he has lost his cool. The clip of him shouting at a Norwegian journalist after Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United is a good example.
Perhaps their impending departures have meant that Hayes and Klopp have felt less need to hold back. The difference for Hayes is that, unlike Klopp, she will go straight to another job, and the biggest one in the world at that.
After Hayes announced he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, comparisons have been made with Jurgen Klopp (right). Like Hayes, Klopp had moments where he lost his cool.
A furious Klopp stormed out of a post-match interview with Scandinavian television following Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Man United at Old Trafford.
But rule out Hayes at your own peril – the Chelsea boss is not about to go down without a fight.
But discard it at your own risk.
Chelsea still have two trophies up for grabs: the WSL and the Champions League. They are the most difficult to win, as Manchester City prove to be a tough contender for the title, while Barcelona awaits in the Champions League semi-finals.
This is a crucial week as Chelsea play their remaining game against Aston Villa on Wednesday before the first of their two games against Barca on Saturday.
But Hayes isn’t about to go down without a fight.
Newcastle Women continue their rise
A record 7,382 fans were at Kingston Park on Sunday to see Newcastle earn promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history.
It is the biggest attendance at the stadium for any sport this season and bigger than any crowd drawn so far by Premiership Rugby Union team Newcastle Falcons.
The club has been conspicuous by its absence at the top of women’s football. The women’s team did not affiliate with the men’s club until 2022, but has enjoyed rapid success under the management of Becky Langley.
Newcastle Women achieved promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history
Amanda Staveley, co-owner of the club, was there to witness the 10-0 victory over Huddersfield Town and cried on the pitch during the celebrations.
Newcastle turned their women’s team professional in the summer and are now just one promotion away from the WSL.
Its rapid progress indicates how important investment is in women’s football. However, there will be greater scrutiny over where that money comes from as the club continues to grow.
Grace Clinton ineligible to play for Spurs at Wembley
Take Grace Clinton, who, after playing a huge role in helping Tottenham reach their first FA Cup final, will now be ineligible to play at Wembley. The midfielder is on loan from Manchester United and she will not be able to face her former club.
Clinton has had a fantastic season and it is no surprise that Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn wants to sign her permanently.
Tottenham’s Grace Clinton (centre) will not be able to play in the FA Cup final at Wembley
The midfielder is on loan from Manchester United and will not be able to face her former club
Vilahamn also deserves a lot of praise for the work he has done this season.
Comparisons have been made between him and Ange Postecoglou, but it could be Vilahamn who delivers Tottenham’s first trophy in 16 years.