Sonia Bompastor ready to usher Chelsea into ‘new era’

Sonia Bompastor insists she is embracing the pressure of succeeding Emma Hayes as she ushers Chelsea into a “new era”.

The 44-year-old former Lyon boss, who was appointed on a four-year contract in May, has her eye on a prize Hayes never secured in her 12-year tenure: a Champions League trophy.

Bompastor, who was capped 156 times by France, will first lead the Blues on a tour of America against Gotham FC in New Jersey on Monday followed by Arsenal at Audi Field in Washington DC six days later.

“I mean, I’m used to (the pressure), being a former player and manager at Lyon,” she said.

Chelsea is delighted to confirm Sonia Bompastor will become Head Coach of the women’s team from the start of 2024/25.

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 29, 2024

“Emma did a really great job, I just want to build on her legacy. I feel such a lucky manager to have this opportunity after Emma and to show who I am as a manager and a person.

“The pressure is something I really like because it makes me better. I will try really hard to make sure I support them, make this club successful. I already told everyone I am here to win every single title and every single game – that is why I came.”

Bompastor was born into a footballing family in Blois, France. With a referee dad and a brother who also played, her love for the sport came naturally.

She joined Lyon for the first time in 2006, then went on to win back-to-back top-flight titles in 2007 and 2008 as well as the Coupe de France in her second season.

The trip to Washington will bring back fond memories for the Frenchwoman, who in 2009 was invited to be part of the newly-created Women’s Professional Soccer championship side Washington Freedom.

It was there she met Hayes, the woman she would