USWNT’s Emma Hayes Inducted into National Football Museum Hall of Fame

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes received a massive honor on Sept. 30, as she was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in Manchester, England. 

Before Hayes was hired as the USWNT head coach in November 2023, she spent 12 years coaching Chelsea FC in the Women’s Super League. She led Chelsea to seven FA Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups. She also guided The Blues to a UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2021.

"It’s a huge honor to be recognized by the National Football Museum and to join such an incredible list of personalities in the Hall of Fame, but when I think about individual honors, I always think about teams and players,” Hayes said. 

“Football is the ultimate team sport, and when teams have success, it’s not only due to the talent of the players, but also the willingness of those players to dedicate themselves to the overall success of the team. It’s also a reflection on the entire coaching staff and the backroom staff who have worked so hard to help to prepare the players and give them a platform to succeed. So, as I step into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, I do so with all the players and staff I’ve worked with over my career, and I’m sincerely appreciative of all of them.”

Hayes, who led the USWNT to the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in just her 10th match at the helm, joins almost 200 inductees, both players and managers, who have helped transform the sport in England. 

As much as Hayes has influenced football in the UK, she’s now making a sizable impact on soccer in the United States, but that started decades ago. Long before her success in the WSL, she coached in the USL W-League, leading the Long Island Lady Raiders from 2001-03 in her first head coaching job. 

“Emma Hayes is a true trailblazer whose record as a manager speaks for itself,” CEO of the National Football Museum Tim Desmond said. “Hayes’ impact on football goes far beyond her exceptional record as a manager. She has been instrumental in raising the profile of the women’s game and inspiring future generations.”