Emma Hayes admitted that she would have considered a break after leaving Chelsea if she was paid like the top managers in the men’s game.
During her 12-year-old stint as head coach of the Blues’ women’s team, Hayes transformed the side from perennial strugglers into the most dominant side of the Women’s Super League era.
After more than 350 games at the helm Hayes’ glittering spell came to an end in May as she secured a seventh league title before moving on to a new challenge.
The all-conquering US Women’s National team came calling after a period of relative decline and she duly accepted, finding instant success by leading them to victory in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
In a recent interview Hayes admitted that a break before her first role in international management would’ve been ‘optimal’.
Emma Hayes has admitted that she would have considered a career break after leaving Chelsea if she was paid like a manager in the men’s game
Hayes over decade-long stint with the Blues ended with a fifth-consecutive WSL title in May
‘I don’t get paid what Jurgen Klopp gets paid for me to take a sabbatical year!’ She told talkSPORT.
‘I have to pay the bills. But at the same time, I’ve got to do the job that I’ve dreamed about doing my whole life and yes, a break would have been optimal.
Like Hayes, Klopp departed Liverpool at the end of last season after cementing his legacy as one of the club’s legends.
Unlike the 47-year-old however, the German has remained coy as to whether he will return to football in a full-time role.
Despite admitting that she felt that she would have benefitted from a sabbatical Hayes added that her new environment has proved beneficial in its own way.
‘Sometimes a change is as good as a rest,’ she continued.
‘I’ve definitely felt that after the summer, just by experiencing some different things, travelling to different places, and connecting with different people.
She compared her situation to that of ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, admitting she doesn’t get paid enough to be able to consider a break from management
Hayes has found immediate success since taking over the USA women’s team and led them to gold at the 2024 Olympics
‘I’ve felt rejuvenated just doing that.’
Hayes’ USA side will travel to the UK to take on the Lionesses at Wembley in November.
The last time the two sides met was in October 2022, with the Lionesses triumphing 2-1 in the friendly courtesy of goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway.
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