Emma Hayes: Sarina Wiegman could manage in men’s professional football

Emma Hayes has no doubt that England boss Sarina Wiegman could “do the job” as a head coach in men’s professional football.

And Chelsea manager Hayes says it is “time for a lot of things to be on more of an equal footing” following England’s stunning Euro 2022 triumph.

Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley.

It was the Lionesses’ first major trophy, and the first for a senior England side since the 1966 World Cup.

At the heart of it all was 52-year-old Wiegman, who only took charge last September, and claimed a second consecutive Euro trophy, having guided her native Netherlands to glory in 2017.

As a result, debate will inevitably intensify about the day when a female head coach carries out a similar role in men’s football.

“She is an amazing manager. It’s the same sport, she just manages women rather than men at an extremely high level,” Hayes told the PA news agency.

“I think some of the opinions in and around whether women could do that job are absolute nonsense. Of course she could do the job.

“I think it is time for a lot of things to be on more of an equal footing.

“Whether it is my niece only being able to play one football session in school, whereas the boys play three, or girls who are playing at the same level as the men on a fraction of their pay.

“For me, there has to be an increase in investment across the game, and when it comes to coaching into the men’s game it has to be a pre-requisite for successful teams.

She is an an immense human being who carries the pressure so well- Emma Hayes

“I think it is time for those changes to happen.

“You’ve got to invest in not only free access for the kids, but also coaching, because seeing Sarina on the touchline last night I think