Farewell Emma Hayes: her incredible Chelsea career – in pictures

As the Women’s Super League’s most decorated coach leaves west London to manage the USWNT, we take a look back at Emma Hayes’s trophy-laden 12 years in charge of Chelsea

Main image: Chelsea manager Emma Hayes holds the Women’s Super League trophy alongside captain Millie Bright and her team as they celebrate winning the 2023/24 title. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

  • Emma Hayes joined Chelsea in 2012 when they were still a part-time professional club and had a difficult first couple of seasons. The Blues finished third-bottom of the Women’s Super League in 2012 and the following season finished second-bottom. Things turned around in 2014 as they finished second in the league behind Liverpool on goal difference, after eight wins, two draws and four defeats. A final day win would have clinched them the title, but they lost 2–1 away to Manchester City. Their second-place finish meant that they qualified for the Women’s Champions League for the first time.
    The Chelsea manager Emma Hayes heads a football during the Women's League Cup quarter-final between Birmingham City and Chelsea at Damson Lane in September 2015

  • The season after saw the first piece of silverware for Hayes when Ji So-yun slotted home the only goal of the game in the 2015 FA Cup final against Notts County.
    Chelsea's Ji So-yun slots home the only goal of the game in the 2015 FA Cup final against Notts County

  • There were further celebrations two months later when a 4-0 victory over Sunderland gave Chelsea their first WSL title, and the double.
    Chelsea players and staff celebrate with the Women's Super League trophy after their 4-0 victory over Sunderland

  • That season saw Chelsea’s first foray into the Champions League where they progressed to the last 16 and came up against VfL Wolfsburg, during which Chelsea’s Millie Bright (left) tussled with Lena Goessling. The visitors triumphed 2-1 in the first leg at Chelsea’s Wheatsheaf Park, after which Hayes criticised the Football Association for poor fixture scheduling. She said the competition was ‘geared to French, German and Swedish teams, and until we change that or listen to clubs like Chelsea we are always going to get knocked out in the early rounds.’
    Chelsea's Millie Bright (left) and VfL Wolfsburg's Lena Goessling battle for the ball during their 2015 Women’s Champions League round of 16 first leg match which Wolfsburg won 2-1

  • Chelsea were unable to retain either of their trophies in 2016, finishing second in the WSL to Manchester City and losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal. However, they were back to their winning ways in 2017 when Chelsea won the WSL Spring Series, which was a shortened bridging season in order to help move the WSL from a summer league format to a winter league, in line with the traditional football calendar in England. The tournament’s top scorer, Fran Kirby, is seen here celebrating after netting against Liverpool.
    Fran Kirby celebrates scoring during the match WSL Spring Series match at Wheatsheaf Park between Chelsea v Liverpool in May 2017

  • However, 2016 was not without its honours for Hayes, as she was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for services to football.
    Emma Hayes is made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to football, during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in December 2016

  • Karen Carney (centre) and Hayes celebrate amongst teammates after their 2018 FA Cup final victory over Arsenal.
    Emma Hayes and players celebrate with the FA Cup trophy after the 2017-18 final against Arsenal

  • Less than two weeks later Chelsea celebrated their second double when victory over Bristol City gave them the 2017-18 WSL title. Hayes was absent from the celebrations as she was 35 weeks pregnant and watched the victory from the comfort of her own home.
    Chelsea celebrate becoming Women’s Super League champions after the league match against Bristol City in May 2018

  • The start of the 2019-20 season saw Chelsea take on Spurs in front of almost 25,000 fans in their first WSL game at Stamford Bridge. After her side’s 1-0 victory, Hayes said: “We have won a lot today, not just three points. People’s consciousness, women’s football continuing to grow and I am so proud of this football club.”
    General view of the action during the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in September 2019

  • In February 2020, Hayes got her hands on her first piece of silverware since 2018, when for the first time in the club’s history they won the League Cup. The coronavirus pandemic meant no fixtures took place for the rest of the season. For the first time ever, the WSL standings were decided on a points-per-game basis – and Chelsea edged out Manchester City and Arsenal to secure the title.
    Emma Hayes with the trophy after the Women’s League Cup final against Arsenal.

  • With Covid-19 restrictions meaning games were played behind closed doors, the 2020-21 season started in August with the return of the Community Shield for the first time in the women’s game since 2008. Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City meant an eighth trophy had been won, shortly after the eighth anniversary of Hayes’s appointment as manager.
    Emma Hayes, players and staff celebrate Chelsea's Community Shield win

  • Guro Reiten celebrates after scoring Chelsea’s sixth and final goal against Bristol City which meant the Blues retained the League Cup.
    Guro Reiten celebrates after scoring her side’s sixth and final goal during the 2021 League Cup final match against Bristol City

  • More joy for Hayes came in May as her side’s victory over Bayern Munich meant the club qualified for its first Women’s Champions League final.
    Emma Hayes celebrates with her assistant Stuart Searle during the second leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich

  • Victory over Reading gave Chelsea their fourth WSL title to become the most successful side in the competition’s history.
    Chelsea players celebrate winning Women’s Super League at Reading in May 2021

  • Unfortunately there were no such celebrations a week later at the Champions League final. A dominant performance by Barcelona gave the Spanish side a 4-0 win.
    Emma Hayes (centre-right) and Chelsea players walk through Barcelona’s players after the end of the Women’s Champions League final in May 2021, which Barcelona won 4-0

  • The 2021-22 season began with a milestone for Hayes, who reached 250 games for the club at the start of her 10th full campaign at the helm. The achievement was celebrated at Chelsea’s first home game of the campaign which was played in front of supporters for the first time in 2021.
    Emma Hayes is presented with a commemorative frame by the executive manager of Chelsea, Adrian Jacob, marking her 250 games as Chelsea manager prior to the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Everton at Kingsmeadow on 12 September 2021

  • Hayes and her team were back at Wembley in December 2021 for the previous season’s FA Cup final which was delayed due to Covid-19.
    Emma Hayes waits in the tunnel with her team ahead of the Women’s FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley in December 2021

  • Chelsea dominated Arsenal from start to finish to complete the 2020-21 domestic quadruple and lift the FA Cup for the third time.
    Magdalena Eriksson lifts the FA Cup trophy after her side’s victory over Arsenal at Wembley on 5 December 2021

  • More good news came in 2022, as Hayes was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
    A message shown on the screen to congratulate Emma Hayes on being awarded an OBE ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 2 January 2022

  • Hayes won another award that same month when she was announced as the Best Fifa Women’s Coach, beating Lluís Cortés and Sarina Wiegman, during the 2021 Best Fifa Football Awards.
    The 2021 Best FIFA Women’s Coach award winner Emma Hayes is announced by 2019 winner Jill Ellis on 17 January 2022 in Zurich, Switzerland

  • Alongside the gongs, Hayes also has the respect and admiration of the Chelsea fans.
    A Chelsea banner that reads 'Emma Hayes' Blue and White Army' is seen in the stands prior to the FA Cup semi-final match against Arsenal in April 2022

  • Chelsea became the first side in WSL history to win the title three seasons in a row after Sam Kerr fired home a blockbuster left-footed volley, one of her two goals in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Manchester United.
    Sam Kerr scores during the Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United.

  • Chelsea celebrate again at Wembley. Kerr (left) and Ji are part of the scenes after their side’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
    Chelsea’s Sam Kerr (left) and Ji So-yun carry Chelsea flags after victory in the FA Cup final in May 2022

  • Hayes poses with the FA Cup trophy. For the fourth time in Chelsea’s history they were double winners, underlining their status as the dominant team of the WSL era.
    Hayes poses after the FA Cup final against Manchester City

  • In the summer Hayes took on the role of assistant manager alongside Harry Redknapp (manager) and Vicky McClure (celebrity coach) for the England team during the 2022 Soccer Aid for Unicef. Here they are pictured with Robbie Williams, the co-founder of Soccer Aid and the Unicef UK ambassador.
    From left to right: Robbie Williams, Harry Redknapp, Vicky McClure and Emma Hayes pose for a picture during the 2022 Soccer Aid for Unicef match at the London Stadium

  • Chelsea were back at Wembley in May 2023 for a third consecutive FA Cup final. A single goal from Sam Kerr gave the Blues victory over Manchester United.
    Sam Kerr celebrates with a back-flip after scoring during the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley on 14 May 2023

  • Hayes poses with the FA Cup trophy and her winners medal.
    Emma Hayes poses with the FA Cup trophy and her medal following her side’s victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley on 14 May 2023

  • A last day of the season victory over Reading meant that Hayes’ side had won a third consecutive double and an unprecedented fourth successive WSL title
    Magdalena Eriksson and Millie Bright of Chelsea celebrate with the Barclays Women’s Super League trophy following their team’s victory in the FA Women’s Super League match between Reading and Chelsea at Madejski Stadium on May 27, 2023.

  • Fans show their support of Hayes
    Fans pose with a sign in support of Chelsea manager Emma Hayes inside the stadium before the Women’s League Cup final against Arsenal.

  • She may not yet have a statue, but Hayes does have an installation on the Shed Wall at Stamford Bridge
    Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea visits her Shed Wall installation following the Chelsea FC Awards 2024 at Stamford Bridge on May 07, 2024.

  • The Chelsea players form a guard of honour for their manager following her last home game in charge of the West London side
    Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is given a guard of honour by her players following the Barclays Women’s Super League match against Bristol City, her last home game in charge of the team.

  • A suitable farewell for Emma Hayes as her Chelsea tenure comes to an end with another WSL title.
    Chelsea manager Emma Hayes holds the Women’s Super League trophy alongside captain Millie Bright and her team as they celebrate winning the 2023/24 title.
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