Emma Hayes admitted she was “speechless” after winning gold with the USWNT at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The former Chelsea boss called time on an outstanding club career with the London side at the end of the 2023/24 season, but she kicked off her new venture as head coach of the US in the most incredible fashion. After just 10 games in charge of the team, she is now an Olympic gold medalist as she guided the team back to the pinnacle of the sport.

It wasn’t an easy campaign for the US, despite comfortably topping their group ahead of Germany, Zambia and Australia. Both of their quarter-final and semi-final ties against Japan and Germany went to extra-time, and were won by just a single goal.

In the final, Brazil were comfortably on top throughout the first half and were unfortunate not to score. Hayes ensured her side put in a much more complete performance in the second 45 minutes, and they delivered when it mattered most as Mallory Swanson scored the only goal of the game to clinch the win.

“I’m very emotional,” Hayes told Eurosport after the game. “It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position.

“I’m so emotional thinking about it. I’ve got my dad’s necklace on, and it’s got an American eagle on it. He was with me today and that helped. The crowd were tremendous, Brazil were tremendous. I’m just speechless, to be honest. I’m in shock.”

The sky’s the limit for Hayes and the USWNT as they target glory at the next Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil in 2027.

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