Emma Hayes signs new Chelsea contract

Chelsea women manager Emma Hayes has agreed a new contract to extend what has already been a hugely successful spell in charge of the Blues since 2012, during which time she has delivered four WSL titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups and the one-off 2017 WSL Spring Series.

Hayes guided Chelsea to the Champions League final for the first time last season, losing to Barcelona, and European glory remains the elusive goal for the club.

The 44-year-old has become known to a wider audience this summer as a result of her heavily praised co-commentary work for ITV during Euro 2020, providing deep tactical insight and analysis of the games she has covered.

“Everyone knows what this club means to me,” Hayes told Chelsea’s official website.

“The work we’ve done together over the last nine years has been hugely rewarding, full of growth of the women’s game, accompanied with winning, which is one of the club’s key values.

“I really look forward to keep building on the successes we’ve already achieved and I’m delighted to have extended further.

“It’s been a year and a half without fans, so I can’t wait to welcome them back to our home and share with them the wonderful team we’ve built together.”

Former Chelsea and England striker Eniola Aluko, who played under Hayes for six years, told 90min ahead of the Champions League final in May that European success has been a long-term goal.

“She’s had a huge impact and I think she set this vision a long time ago, back in 2012 when she arrived, to become a competitive, title-winning team in Europe,” Aluko explained at the time.

“Emma Hayes has constantly talked about the Champions League, this is not a surprise. I think after the first time we played in the Champions League in 2015 it’s been the aim ever since to keep growing in the competition.”

Chelsea losing that final to Barcelona will likely only have spurred Hayes on even more.

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