Ex-Chelsea boss Emma Hayes reveals how career would be different if she was paid like Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp
09/06/2024 12:37 PM
Emma Hayes says she would have taken a break from management if she was paid as much as her male counterparts.
Hayes left Women’s Super League side Chelsea after 12 years earlier this year.
She is now the manager of the United States women’s national soccer team.
Other managers have taken sabbaticals from management in the past including Liverpool's legendary manager, Jurgen Klopp.
He left Anfield at the end of last season after nine years at the club where he won the Premier League and Champions League.
Currently, he is taking a break before finding his next venture.
Hayes told talkSPORT exclusively that she would have followed in Klopp's footsteps but one thing stood in her way, her wages.
“I don’t get paid what Jurgen Klopp gets paid for me to take a sabbatical year!” She told talkSPORT.
"I have to pay the bills. But at the same time, I’ve got to do the job that I’ve dreamed about doing my whole life and yes, a break would have been optimal.
"But sometimes a change is as good as a rest.
“I’ve definitely felt that after the summer, just by experiencing some different things, travelling to different places, and connecting with different people.
"I've felt rejuvenated just doing that.”
During her time at Chelsea, Hayes cemented herself as Women's Super League royalty.
She won seven WSL titles, five FA Cups, and two League Cups and was a UEFA Women's Champions League runner-up in 2020-21.
She was also awarded The Best FIFA Football Coach during her time at the Blues.
With an impressive trophy cabinet and honours list, you would think this is someone who deserves a break from the dugout.
But no, Hayes was named Head Coach of the United States women’s national team once the WSL season had concluded, with her tenure beginning in May 2024.
The 47-year-old only had two months to prepare USWNT for the Paris Olympics.
Despite the quick turnaround, she took them through an undefeated Olympic run, winning the Gold medal game against Brazil in August.
Emma Hayes - Career honours
- FA Women’s Super League (x7): 2015, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- Women’s FA Cup (x5): 2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- The Best FIFA Football Coach (x1): 2021
- FA WSL Manager of the Month (x7): October 2019, January 2020, February 2020, January 2021, March 2022, November 2022, January 2024
- Summer Olympic Games Gold Medal (x1): 2024
Her comparison to Jurgen Klopp isn't misguided either, he endured long but successful tenure at Anfield.
Klopp won one Premier League title in 2019-20, one FA Community Shield in 2022, one UEFA Super Cup in 2019 and has received numerous individual awards.
These included the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award in 2020, Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2022 and two Premier League Manager of the Season awards in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Emma Hayes' USNWT face England's Lionesses at Wembley on the 30 November.
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