Emma Hayes 'so excited' to manage USWNT at Paris 2024 Olympic Games - 'What dreams are made of'

Emma Hayes says she is "so excited" to manage the US women’s national football team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The current Chelsea manager will remain at the club until the end of the current Women’s Super League season and then start her new role with the USWNT just before the Games get underway in July.

Hayes has won 13 major trophies during her 11 seasons at Chelsea, including a record six WSL titles. She is on track to win more trophies before she departs, with the Blues currently top of the WSL table.

Chelsea are also likely to qualify for the Women’s UEFA Champions League knockout stages – their crucial match against Real Madrid on Wednesday, January 24, will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Hayes admitted her departure from the club would be emotional, telling the Football Writers Association: "I'll be absolutely distraught. I'm a bit of a sobber. I think I'll cry my eyes out for the last few weeks.

"I've done my bit and I certainly hope they welcome me back as a fan because that's how I see myself."

Hayes will be tasked with revitalising the USWNT, who suffered a shock round-of-16 exit from the Women’s World Cup last year.

It was the earliest the four-time world champions had ever been knocked out of the tournament.

"I'll develop another side to myself – I'll have to work with a team off the pitch as well in a much different way to prepare for major tournaments," she said.

"But I'm so excited to go to the Olympics and the World Cup, it's what dreams are made of.

"To think that I'm in a position where I can lead a team out at the Paris Olympics and a World Cup in three years' time – happy days."

Hayes, who has often been outspoken about gender equality in football, is set to become the highest-paid female manager ever with the USWNT.

Her annual salary of £1.3 million will be the same as the manager of the US men’s team, Gregg Berhalter.

Hayes spoke about how it felt to be part of the continuing growth of women’s football.

"When I was growing up and aspiring to play an FA Cup final at Wembley for Tottenham and being Glenn Hoddle, scores of young girls and boys are thinking now about how amazing [Chelsea's] Millie Bright is or Sam Kerr is," she said.

"I think those are the moments I pinch myself about more than I do the achievements."

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