Emma Hayes reveals stress of Chelsea job made her unwell towards the end

Emma Hayes, aged 48, expressed that she felt "unwell" towards the conclusion of her tenure as Chelsea manager, attributing this to the stress associated with the role as she readies her US women's team for a match against England on Saturday.

Having concluded her 12-year leadership of the Blues at the end of the previous season, Hayes has returned to London as her new team prepares for the upcoming fixture at Wembley.

The coach, who led Chelsea to a fifth consecutive Women's Super League title in May, candidly discussed the impact the job had on her health, emphasizing the advantages of international coaching.

"I no longer have to forgo the aspects that contribute to my well-being," she stated on Monday. "By the end of my time at Chelsea, I did not feel healthy; in fact, I felt unwell.

"It was not merely pressure; it was the stress and the toll it took on me, and managing that during menopause made it even more challenging.

"Now, having addressed those issues, I have regained my enthusiasm, my smile, and the joy I had not realized I had lost."

Hayes successfully led the USA to Olympic gold in Paris this past August, and Saturday's friendly will mark her first encounter with Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses.

She acknowledged that it would feel unusual to compete against players with whom she has shared intense battles, but emphasized that the match is purely professional.

"I am looking forward to seeing Sarina," she remarked. "Naturally, I will experience a peculiar moment during the national anthems.

"I will hum along to (God Save the King) as an English person, but I will also do the same for the US anthem because I cherish both.

"Aside from that unusual moment and facing players I have fought alongside, it will be business as usual once the match begins. I hope for an entertaining game and a full stadium."

SportsLigue