Outgoing Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said the lack of female coaches in English football is a “huge problem” and urged her team to “come up with more creative ways” to address it.
She says there should be “minimum standards” for professional clubs to hire female coaches, and more support for women to help them pay for their qualifications.
“There's a lot of work to be done to close that gap,” Hayes said.
The 47-year-old led the champions to their fourth straight Women's Super League (WSL) title last season and will be the next U.S. women's national team coach in the summer.
However, only a third of WSL clubs have a female manager, and Hayes is one of just 21 women across England with a UEFA Pro License.
“We have to recognize that there are very few opportunities for that. We need to think about different ways to educate women from a young age,” she told BBC Sport.
In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes also said:
- It would be “unbelievable” if Chelsea could win their fifth straight title or their first Champions League in his 12th and final season in charge.
- She said she had an obligation to “give absolutely everything to Chelsea and the players” before taking over the U.S. team.
- When she starts her new job at this summer's Paris Olympics, she will “pinch herself a few times” because “that's what dreams are made of.”
- Women's competition is “becoming a huge sport”.
“Significant improvement is essential”
Despite the dramatic increase in the number of girls and women playing football in England in recent years, there are few female coaches at the top of the sport and the men's professional game still lacks a permanent presence of female first-team coaches. Not appointed. .
Following Brighton's sacking of Melissa Phillips last week, Hayes is joined by Carla Ward (Aston Villa), Rehane Skinner (West Ham) and Lauren Smith (Bristol City) as the only female head coaches in the WSL. became. There are six female bosses in the Women's Championship.
“You have to look at the cost as a starting point,” said Mr. Hayes, the ambassador. fun soccer – Programs aimed at tackling underrepresentation in sport, including the training of female coaches.
“It costs around £10,000 to get a professional license and wages in the women's game are a pittance compared to the men's game.
“We have to think about educating players much earlier in their careers, maybe even during international breaks when there is more downtime… and most importantly, they are better trained by their coaches. It's about supporting people to get an education. We need to spend more money on coaches. Not just the women's game, but women coaches in general.”
The League Managers' Association (LMA) told BBC Sport that despite the emergence of role models such as Hayes and England coach Sarina Wigman, the number of qualified female coaches is “critically improved”. ”
The report said the mandatory requirement to employ a qualified female head coach or assistant coach in the women's professional club game should an independent body known as NewCo take over the top two divisions would be a “significant” requirement. He said that a review needs to be carried out. this year.
When asked if it was time to make such a move, Hayes said: “I think so… it’s about having minimum standards so that we can think differently about the accessibility of women in the game… making sure that clubs are in the right position…” Assistant There are minimum standards in place for the employment of women in the game, whether it be at the level of the coach or the head coaching level. But it is difficult to achieve that.”
Asked if he would prefer a woman to replace him at Chelsea, Hayes said: “It's about the club and its needs. Maybe it's best for me to just support that person and not get involved in that.” I answered.
“What dreams are made of”
Under Hayes, Chelsea have won six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups since 2015. They are at the top of the WSL and have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, and the manager said it would be “unbelievable” to win either one.
“It's going to be a challenge in itself to keep winning, as we've been doing for years,” she said. “But to do that knowing there will be changes at the end of the year will be a real achievement and a testament to the players staying focused.”
Hayes will become the highest-paid female coach in the world and one of the most high-profile figures in American sports when she joins the four-time world champion team in the summer, but added: “Nothing happens beyond this season.'' I haven't thought about it,'' he says. I just don't have the time. ”
“Obviously I'm excited. To have the opportunity to go back to the country I grew up coaching and now lead the country. It's going to be a very proud moment for me and my family. Come on.'' I'm sure you'll pinch yourself a few times this summer, because that's what dreams are made of. ”
When asked what the biggest change was during his time at Chelsea, Hayes said: [from] More and more people are attending games now that they can be accessed on TV.
“On a commercial level, the tipping point for that transition was Euro 2022. We are almost certain that some English clubs will break even and even turn a profit within the next 12 months. “Yes. This was unthinkable 11 years ago.”
