Hayes has been named head coach of the United States women's national soccer team.

Emma Hayes has been named head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, according to a statement released by the federation on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old Londoner is one of the game's most successful professional coaches, having led Chelsea to 13 major trophies during her 11-year tenure with the Women's Super League club.

Hayes' contract with the United States, which is expected to last until at least 2027, will make her the highest-paid women's soccer coach in the world, according to U.S. Soccer.

"This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history," Hayes said in the statement announcing her appointment.

Chelsea announced on November 4 that Hayes would leave the club at the end of the Women's Super League season in May to pursue a new opportunity "outside of the WSL and club football."

Twila Kilgore will remain as interim US coach before joining Hayes' staff full-time as an assistant coach.

Hayes takes over for Vlatko Andonovski, who resigned just days after the Americans were stunned by Sweden in the last 16 of the 2023 Women's World Cup. The United States, which has a record four world titles, had never finished lower than third.

The Olympics in Paris next year will be one of Hayes' first major tournaments, with the US aiming for their fifth gold medal. They took bronze in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

SportsLigue