Emma Hayes Compares USWNT Job to a ‘Heart Surgeon’
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has drawn a stark comparison between coaching the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) and being a heart surgeon. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Hayes candidly shared her thoughts on the immense pressure and responsibility that comes with managing one of the most successful women’s soccer teams in the world. “It’s a heart surgeon’s job. It’s literally a heart surgeon’s job,” Hayes said. “Because you’re dealing with the emotions, the egos, the physicality, the demand that is on a daily basis. You’re putting these players out there to be criticized, to be judged.” Hayes, who has led Chelsea to numerous domestic titles and a Champions League triumph, explained that the scrutiny and expectations placed on the USWNT are unlike anything she has experienced in her coaching career. “It’s not just about the football. It’s about so much more,” she continued. “It’s about their identity, it’s about their history, it’s about their legacy. It’s about all of the things that come with being a US women’s national team player.” The USWNT is currently in transition after a disappointing exit from the Tokyo Olympics. The team parted ways with long-time head coach Jill Ellis in 2019 and appointed Vlatko Andonovski as her successor. Hayes believes that the new coach will face an enormous challenge in navigating the team through its current rebuilding phase. “It’s a very different job now than it was maybe 10 years ago,” Hayes said. “The expectations are so much higher, the scrutiny is so much greater. It’s a very, very difficult job.” Despite the challenges, Hayes expressed her admiration for the USWNT’s players and their ability to handle the intense pressures that come with wearing the national team jersey. “I think the US players are incredible. They’re incredibly resilient, they’re incredibly talented, they’re incredibly passionate,” she said. “But it’s a very, very difficult job.” Hayes’s comments highlight the enormous responsibility and pressure that comes with coaching a national soccer team, particularly one with the legacy and success of the USWNT. As the team embarks on a new era under Andonovski, it remains to be seen whether the new coach can guide them back to their former heights and withstand the relentless scrutiny that accompanies such a demanding role.
Emma Hayes Compares USWNT Job to a ‘Heart Surgeon’
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has likened the task of coaching the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) to that of a “heart surgeon.” In an interview with ESPN, Hayes expressed her admiration for the USWNT’s dominance but also recognized the immense pressure that comes with the role. “It’s a heart surgeon’s job,” Hayes said. “You’re dealing with the heart and soul of the nation. You’re dealing with the hopes and dreams of a country. You’re dealing with the very fabric of society.” Hayes pointed to the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the USWNT won their fourth title, as an example of the team’s high standards. “They’re the best team in the world,” Hayes said. “They’ve been the best team in the world for a long time. They set the benchmark for every other team.” However, Hayes also highlighted the challenges that come with coaching a team at the top of its game. “There’s a lot of pressure,” Hayes said. “There’s a lot of expectation. There’s a lot of scrutiny. You’re always being compared to the best.” Hayes, who is one of the most successful female managers in soccer, said she would be intrigued by the challenge of coaching the USWNT. “It’s a job that I would love to do one day,” Hayes said. “It’s a job that I think I could do well. But I know that it’s a job that would be incredibly difficult.” The USWNT is currently without a permanent head coach after Vlatko Andonovski stepped down in October. Hayes is considered a potential candidate for the role.