Emma Hayes hired in record deal to turn around US women's football team

Long-time Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been named as head coach of the United States women's national football team, tasked with righting the ship after the country's most disappointing Women's World Cup campaign.

The 47-year-old from London is one of the game's most successful professional coaches, guiding Chelsea to 13 major trophies in her 11 seasons with the Women's Super League club.

Hayes' deal with the US, which will reportedly run through at least 2027, will make her the highest-paid women's football coach in the world, US Soccer said on Tuesday (Nov 14).

"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.

"I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true."

Former US star Carli Lloyd was among those who praised the move.

"Terrific hire!" the two-time Olympic gold medallist wrote on social media.

"Proven winner on the club side and next is the international side!"

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

Twila Kilgore will continue in her role as US interim boss before joining Hayes' staff full-time as an assistant coach.

Hayes replaces Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down days after the Americans' shock defeat by Sweden in the last 16 of the 2023 Women's World Cup. The US, who own a record four world titles, had never before finished worse than third.

One of Hayes' first major tournaments will be the Paris Olympics next year, where the US will aim for their fifth Games gold medal. They won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I