What Emma Hayes has said about Sonia Bompastor speaks volumes on Chelsea manager decision

Chelsea are rumoured to have agreed a deal for Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor to become their next manager - and Emma Hayes has already given her potential successor a big seal of approval.

Hayes is set to leave Kingsmeadow at the end of this season to become head coach of the US Women's national team, having enjoyed a stellar 12 years in charge of the Blues. And, according to the Telegraph, a deal has already been struck with Bompastor, who has been manager of Lyon since April 2021.

The report claims the Frenchwoman and her assistant Camille Abily will make the switch to west London this summer, with compensation having been agreed with Lyon for an early release from Bompastor’s existing contract, which was set to run until 2025. The 43-year-old is a serial winner, having led the French giants to two league titles (with a third likely to follow next month), three domestic cups and - most crucially - one Champions League triumph.

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She also had an impressive playing career, earning 156 caps for France and captaining Lyon to two Champions League titles. It was during her time as a player that she worked alongside Hayes, who worked as a football consultant for her club Washington Freedom in America.

While Hayes has refused to be drawn on Chelsea's links to Bompastor in recent weeks, she has previously commented on her talents as a footballer. Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final clash with Lyon last year, Hayes said: “Wow! What a brilliant player, honestly an unbelievable left-back with an unbelievable wand of a left boot.

“A cultured and brilliant footballer, very quiet, cheeky, funny — the media might not always see that about her. It’s of no surprise to me that her and Camille have done well working together.”

And there is still a chance Hayes and Bompastor could face each other in next month's Champions League final, with Chelsea and Lyon having been drawn into opposite halves of the draw.