Today, Emma Hayes was announced as the inaugural Head Coach for Chicago Women’s Professional Soccer. See the press release here.
1. Emma Hayes is a woman.
Although it may seem like an obvious statement, she is the first (and so far the only) female coach to be chosen as the Head Coach of a WPS franchise. Emma will be a leader, role model, and inspiration to hundreds, if not thousands, of girls and women who may someday choose to continue their careers in soccer. Of interesting note, Chicago’s GM’s Marcia McDermott was in a similar position at WUSA’s Carolina Courage.
2. Emma Hayes has a wealth of international coaching experience.
The information she has acquired about foreign players – from Sweden to Ghana, Brazil to Australia – will put Emma in a league of her own on the recruiting trail. She has traveled Europe to coach in the UEFA Cup and bussed the height and width of Britain for domestic matches. Moreover, Emma spent six years in America as a head college coach, ODP senior staff coach, and head W-League coach. She has a network of contacts around the globe that will help her identify the top players and assemble the best possible team.
3. Emma Hayes knows her football.
Beyond living a life immersed in sporting culture, Emma has spent the past few years at Arsenal Football Club, one of the most successful soccer organizations in the world. Imagine what she may have gathered over a lunchtime chat with Mr. Arsene Wenger, or while watching daily training sessions at London Colney. From technique, tactics, strength, fitness, diet, nutrition, team spirit, and well beyond, Emma Hayes has learned from best of the best. Further, she coaches a unique, attractive brand of soccer that excites and energizes fans and players alike. Who wouldn’t want to play an attacking, goal-scoring, dynamic game? More importantly (central to the League’s sustainability), who wouldn’t want to watch it?
4. Emma Hayes’ record of success speaks for itself.
At Long Island Lady Riders – 2002 W-League National Coach of the Year
At Iona College – 2005 MAAC Coach of the Year
At Arsenal –
* 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup Winners
* 2007 FA Women’s Premiere League Cup Winners
* 2007-2008 London County FA Women’s Cup Winners
* 2006-2007-2008 FA Women’s Premier League Champions
* 2006-2007-2008 FA Women’s Cup Winners
* 2006 FA Women’s Community Shield Winners
5. Emma Hayes believes in the value of community.
Emma is recognized as a top football clinician around the world, yet she continues to express incredible excitement about becoming part of the Chicago soccer community. I thought she summed it up nicely in her press conference today by saying, “In the little time I’ve spent in Chicago I’ve found it to be a modern, progressive city with passionate soccer fans. I’ve already met several of the Fire’s supporters and am hopeful that the environment they create in Section 8 for the Fire can be replicated for our team and our home games. We want Toyota Park to have a real home field advantage. We will create an environment that will make players want to play here. I expect to have an active role in Chicago’s soccer community, which will be a central part of what we’re doing.”
My blog, Soccer Science: The Neurotic Genius of Soccer in the Digital Age, takes a look at the new media technologies that are revolutionizing the way we see the beautiful game. I'm a web geek, former college coach, industry professional and sports fan. 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job on your Emma Hayes articles (and super blog overall). I’m a Chicago Fire fan, so I know that Peter Wilt snagged a real gem to coach the Red Stars (pretty sure that will be the Chicago team name, unless I’ve jinxed it). I can’t wait to see Emma lead the team at Toyota Park next year!
I met emma at the coaching convention, i was really impressed wih her, any one have her e-mail.Thanks
Wow, looks like Amanda (and Susan) couldn’t have been more off.
Emma is responsible for TOTAL and COMPLETE turmoil on the Red Stars and has lost total confidence of her entire team.
She hasn’t won a game in over two months and the team hasn’t scored in the last three and a half games.
Yah, Wilt picked a real gem. One who coached a virtually unchallenged (by talent on the field) Arsenal and her having to shine against parity has showed her total lack of coaching quality.
4-3-3? Give me a break.
Emma has not been able to adjust and has not recognized the talents and styles of Tarpley, Rapinoe or Lloyd.
Her days are numbered and the sooner they get rid of her, the better. Waiting means even more losses and more damage to team chemistry.
What are McDermott and Wilt waiting for? !0 more losses?
Mark
I couldn’t agree more with Mark. I just watched Chicago beat Los Angeles, no thanks to Emma. The midfield was nonexistent and the team played, if I might use an old phrase, “like chickens with their heads cut off.” They won through individual play – especially the play of Lindsay Tarpley, who was rewarded as usual with a spot on the bench for the last 25 minutes of the match. For a team loaded with US nationals, Chicago’s play this season has been a disgrace. Emma must go.