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Hayes was the only female manager in that league at that stage, having led her side to a third-place finish in the previous season.
She added two more trophies to her list in 2018, when she led Chelsea to their first Women’s FA Cup and WSL title.
We also reached the semi-final of the Champions League for a second time, helping Hayes earn recognition as WSL Manager of the Season.
Hayes began her coaching career in 2001 as a member of the Long Island Lady Riders women’s soccer club, guiding them to the National Coach of the Year award in 2002.
She also worked with Iona College, where she was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year in 2004.
After returning to the English leagues in 2006, Hayes led Llanelli to Sun Life Stadium and a win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Hayes served as assistant first team coach at Arsenal Ladies, as the Gunners achieved unprecedented success, winning 11 major trophies during a three-season spell in north London, including three Women’s Premier League titles, three FA Women’s Cups and the UEFA Women’s Cup crown.
Her role in the Arsenal backroom staff was combined with her position as Academy director, overseeing the development of young players at the club, many of whom currently feature in the Women’s Super League.
In 2011, Hayes returned to the UK after spells as a coaching consultant at Washington Freedom and technical director at New York Flash.
She was made an MBE in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list in June 2016. She received her award in December 2016 and signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea in October that year.
The Blues clinched silverware in 2020, as they won the Continental Tyres League Cup and were crowned the Barclays FA Women’s Super League champions.
Although the WSL ended prematurely due to COVID-19, it was decided by the FA that Hayes’ undefeated side were winners, based on a points-per-game system.
Chelsea secured back-to-back Continental League Cups and the club’s first Champions League final appearance. In July 2021, midfielder Hayes signed a new contract with the club.
After another strong start to the following campaign, she tasted more success in the delayed FA Cup final with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley.
In January 2022, she received an OBE, and in November 2021 she was named the best professional women’s soccer coach at The Best FIFA Awards.
She guided Chelsea to another Women’s Super League and FA Cup double in 2021/22. This made her the first manager to guide a team to three consecutive WSL titles.
She was once again named Manager of the Season.