Seven trophies but Chelsea manager Emma Hayes still fears the sack

Emma Hayes has said that even after seven trophies in eight years as the Chelsea Women manager she still dreads being sacked.

“I’m like any other football manager in that respect, we all live in fear of losing our job,” Hayes said after Chelsea were pronounced champions of a curtailed Women’s Super League season. “I’m not complaining though. I feel I’m exceptionally lucky to have an owner who has an interest in women’s football and understands what we need.”

Roman Abramovich was quick to send a message of congratulation once Chelsea were awarded the title on the basis of points per game and Hayes said the club’s owner has been instrumental in her success in London.

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“When I came to Chelsea in 2012 we were an amateur team but thanks to the owner’s enthusiasm we have built a lot in a short time,” she said. “What success we have achieved we have achieved together and I honestly feel we are more joined-up than ever at the moment.

“I am excited for Chelsea’s future. Our owner is a big fan of women’s football and he’s always asking me what he can do to help. I’m more than conscious of the challenges the women’s game still faces but I think there are enough owners, broadcasters and fans who want the best for us.

“Finishing the season early was a disappointment but women’s football is solid. I think we can come back bigger and stronger.”

Hayes regards her seventh trophy as one of the most satisfying, despite the decision to award the title on a points-per-game formula.

Manchester City were on top by a point when games were suspended but had played a game more than second‑placed Chelsea. Once it was agreed points per game was the fairest way to tidy up, Hayes and her players came out fractionally on top to secure a third title. Liverpool were relegated and Aston Villa promoted.

“The decision to terminate wasn’t easy but most of us feel it was the right one,” Hayes said. “I know football has restarted in Germany but we are at a different stage of the pandemic. The decision was not taken flippantly, every effort was made to resume the season, but most of the players had reached a point where they needed a decision to be made.

“We can all look forward to next season now, which may still involve stepping into the unknown, but by September we should have a lot more information about best practice from Premier League clubs who have been playing.”

Hayes said she enjoyed a low-key celebration at home with her family after Chelsea were awarded the title – “I think I was in bed by 9.30” – but felt that even in compromised circumstances the club’s latest title was among the hardest to win.

“It was a brilliant season, not just for us but for the league as a whole,” she said. “There were a lot of very closely contested games because there are so many good teams about now. This has definitely been one of the toughest titles to win in my time here, the overall standard has improved so much.”

Manchester City finished second with Arsenal third and Hayes said she had the utmost respect for both clubs as well as empathy for their situations. “Finishing the season in this way is obviously not ideal for anyone, but it was a collective decision based on players’ welfare and I think most people agree with it,” she said.

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“Arsenal were undoubtedly the best team in the country 12 months ago when they were champions, and Manchester City are always competitive, but that just shows how far we have come over the past year. The team has really kicked on this season, the desire within the squad is unbelievable.

“It seems a little strange not to have any sort of presentation or celebration at the end of a successful season. I’m sure we’ll do something when we all get back together, but knowing my players as I do, they will probably insist it should be business as usual. They don’t want to spend time celebrating, they want to keep progressing.”

Hayes is not worried about the financial impact of ending early, despite the FA’s refusal to make any extra cash available to the women’s game as has happened in other countries. “The FA has already ringfenced funds for next season and I’m confident the support will be there if we need it,” she said.