Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has admitted that she hates being asked about rumours linking her with a move into the men’s game.
Hayes is one of the most successful coaches in the world, leading the Blues to five WSL titles and as many FA Cups since taking over the club in 2012.
This success has seen her linked with several men’s sides in the past with AFC Wimbledon supposedly considering her for their top job in 2021.
Hayes swiftly shut down these rumours at the time and speaking to The Athletic now, she admitted to getting frustrated with having to address similar speculation.
“Always the ones about links to the men’s game — those are the questions I hate the most,” she said.
“If Thomas Tuchel was constantly linked to (another job) in the press he wouldn’t be asked about it in the same way, but because there are no females coaching in the men’s game and I’m the one who’s achieved the most, there’s just an automatic assumption that 1) it’s going to happen, and 2) that you can keep asking me that question.”
Last season Hayes led Chelsea to a WSL and FA Cup double. But the club struggled in the Champions League and have not rested on their laurels this summer, signing Eve Perisset and Kadeisha Buchanan to strengthen their already fearsome defence.
