Chelsea have announced that Emma Hayes will leave her post as Women’s First-Team Manager at end of 2023-24 season.
Since she took charge of Chelsea in August 2012, Hayes has overseen the Blues’ rise to the top of the women’s game with 15 titles – including the Women’s Super League title in last four seasons and Women’s FA Cup in each of the last three campaigns.
Hayes also oversaw Chelsea’s run to the runner-up spot in 2020-21 UEFA Women’s Champions League behind eventual champions, Barcelona.
The 47 year-old has now decided to pursue a new opportunity elsewhere away from club football after the conclusion of this season.
Chelsea Chairman, Todd Boehly plus co-owner, Behdad Eghbali issued the following tribute to Hayes: “Emma’s contribution to Chelsea cannot be understated. She has been a pioneer in women’s football and is hugely respected within the game.
“We look forward to continuing to work together over the coming months.”
Co-Sporting Directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley meanwhile spoke with pride of Hayes’ success at the club, as they added: “Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football. Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever.
“Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge.
“We are pleased that she will remain with the club for the remainder of the season to give us the time to identify her successor.”
Stewart and Winstanley also confirmed that the club will provide “plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and to give her the farewell she deserves,” whilst priority will currently lie on making this season successful as the Blues chase a quadruple.
Across her tenure, Hayes led Chelsea to six WSL titles plus 2017 WSL Spring Series, alongside five FA Cup titles and two League Cup honours, whilst the Blues won the 2020 Women’s FA Community Shield which was the most recent edition of that competition.
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