Women’s football round-up: Chelsea need succession plan as Emma Hayes stepping down to take USA job

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Chelsea are embarking on a managerial search with Emma Hayes departing at the end of the season to pursue a new opportunity outside of the Women’s Super League and club football.

It has been widely reported that the 47-year-old Londoner is set to take over as boss of the United States women’s national team, who have been in the market for a new head coach since Vlatko Andonovski stepped down in August.

Hayes is set to become the highest-paid coach in women’s football.

She joined the Blues in 2012 and has won six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, one FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield during her stint in charge.

Hayes has been named FA WSL Manager of the Season on six occasions and LMA WSL Manager of the Season five times. The departing Chelsea boss was also inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame in 2021.

Hayes is thought to be lining up her current number two Denise Reddy to join her as part of the USA set up.

Former Manchester United manager Casey Stoney, at San Diego Wave, has been linked with the Chelsea job.

Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “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.

“There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and to give her the farewell she deserves, but for now, as she always has been, Emma will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea.”

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added: “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.”

The Blues are top of the WSL table and unbeaten after five matches. Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal are all three points behind.
Chelsea head to Everton on Sunday (1pm).

Crystal Palace got back to winning ways in the FA Women’s Championship with a 3-0 victory over Watford.

The Eagles suffered their first defeat of the league campaign in their previous outing – 3-2 to local rivals Charlton Athletic – and slipped down to fourth in the table.
Laura Kaminski’s side took the lead through Elise Hughes after four minutes. The former Everton and Blackburn striker doubled her tally and Palace’s advantage with three minutes remaining in the first half.

Shauna Guyatt added Palace’s third in first-half added time as the Eagles moved on to 17 points from their first eight games. They head to bottom of the table Lewes on Sunday.

Charlton Athletic briefly moved joint-top of the Championship on Friday after they beat Lewes 1-0 at The Dripping Pan.

The Addicks – who were reduced to 10 players when Kate Longhurst was sent off along with Lewes’ Shauna Marian Vassell in the 65th minute – were awarded a penalty to break the deadlock and claimed all three points in the 91st minute.

Kayleigh Green stepped up and scored as Karen Hills’ side extended their unbeaten run to six games in the second tier.

“It’s a huge three points,” Hills told CharltonTV. “It’s the first time we have beaten them here since we joined.

“We need to focus on what we’re doing and make sure that we have got a squad of players who are capable of putting in performances like we saw on Friday. We don’t look too far ahead. These players are just absorbing information and really trying to put into play everything that we’re asking.”

AFC Wimbledon extended their advantage as the top of the National League Division One South East after a 3-0 win over Actonians.

A hat-trick from Ashlee Hincks – who has scored 95 goals and picked up 45 assists in 70 competitive games for the South Londoners – saw Kevin Foster’s side claim all three points.

The Dons are four points ahead of second-placed Norwich City, who are the only team left in the division that are still unbeaten. They head to Saltdean United for the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Millwall Lionesses made it six wins in a row under co-caretaker managers Adam Rowland and Alex Russell after a 5-0 success over Newhaven in the London and South East Regional League Cup.

Emma Whitter opened Millwall’s account on Sunday in the 29th minute when she unleashed an effort from the edge of the box.

Sophie Chapman met Shannon Drewe’s cross two minutes later to double their advantage.

Liv McGregor made it three in the 35th minute after she was found by Whitter. The Lionesses were then awarded a penalty just after the hour-mark and Maisie Joyce slotted past the Newhaven keeper.

Joyce added a fifth in second half added time as Millwall booked their place in the next round.