Chelsea extend Hayes for three more years

On Monday, Chelsea Ladies FC head coach Emma Hayes signed a brand new three-year contract with the club, extending a most successful partnership that began in 2012 and has seen Chelsea LFC win multiple trophies and rise to become one of the powers of the English game.

“I couldn’t see myself anywhere else and it makes absolute sense to commit to the club going forward. I couldn’t be happier at this point in my career.”

- Emma Hayes; source: Chelsea FC

Despite being snubbed by FIFA for the 2017 Women’s Coach of the Year award, Chelsea Ladies team boss Emma Hayes has received recognition for leading her Blues to the Spring Series title, and for taking her domestically undefeated side past European giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season. The Blues have been improving every season under Hayes, and it’s frankly a bad cosmic joke that she doesn’t have another title or two to show for it.

With the Ladies off and flying once again at the start of this current campaign, all parties will be delighted that manager and club were able to tidy up a bit of business during the women’s international break. Speaking of the international team, if you haven’t followed the disappointing but sadly not shocking news surrounding the England national team at the moment, you’re probably unaware of the recent vacancy on the coaching bench. Hayes’ name was, of course, tossed around for it, but this new deal will have us breathing easier that Hayes will not be tempted away.

In fact, Hayes told the club's official website that Chelsea “is a place which I feel very much a part of and it is very dear in my heart.” Those are wonderful words to hear. Technical Director and part-time Darth Vader stand-in Michael Emenalo echoing similar sentiments. “We are delighted Emma has decided to sign a new contract. She is one of the leading coaches in women’s football and she has helped Chelsea grow into one of the most talented and exciting teams in Europe.”

Hayes’s new contract paints a promising future for the Chelsea Ladies, who haven’t let in a goal in their opening three league games. Hayes is undoubtedly the most crucial piece for the Chelsea Ladies going forward, and frankly, I couldn’t imagine the club without her at the helm. Please watch the official video from Chelsea below. While it is edited to give the club a more pleasant polish (naturally), it’s also a genuinely kind review of where CLFC is relative to the rest of the world. Indeed, while most managers are wont to put their personal feelings on display, Hayes eschews the diplomacy and mind-guarding for a deep authenticity, which warms the heart in this unforgiving age of internet opinions.