The USA women’s manager on the death of her predecessor at Chelsea, Matt Beard, and how managers need more support to navigate the modern game
Eagerly with hands raised in the air, the children from Abbott Community primary school all want to quiz the United States head coach. The plan was for Emma Hayes to just take a few questions from the youngsters at the National Football Museum, but she wants to answer them all. Even her son, Harry, watching on, raises his hand. The tone is light, fun and educational as Hayes celebrates being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The former Chelsea manager, who is being honoured by the National Football Museum for her coaching achievements so far, not least her seven Women’s Super Leagues titles and Olympic gold medal, is quick to point to how glad she is that the “women’s game is in a better place in this country” compared to when she took on the Chelsea job in 2012. Alongside her smiles, though, there is a deep sadness at present. When later sitting down to speak to the Guardian, Hayes issues words of warning to the sport, namely that it must learn lessons from the death of her predecessor at Chelsea, Matt Beard, after the shock news of his death at the age of 47 last month.
Continue reading…The USA women’s manager on the death of her predecessor at Chelsea, Matt Beard, and how managers need more support to navigate the modern gameEagerly with hands raised in the air, the children from Abbott Community primary school all want to quiz the United States head coach. The plan was for Emma Hayes to just take a few questions from the youngsters at the National Football Museum, but she wants to answer them all. Even her son, Harry, watching on, raises his hand. The tone is light, fun and educational as Hayes celebrates being inducted into the Hall of Fame.The former Chelsea manager, who is being honoured by the National Football Museum for her coaching achievements so far, not least her seven Women’s Super Leagues titles and Olympic gold medal, is quick to point to how glad she is that the “women’s game is in a better place in this country” compared to when she took on the Chelsea job in 2012. Alongside her smiles, though, there is a deep sadness at present. When later sitting down to speak to the Guardian, Hayes issues words of warning to the sport, namely that it must learn lessons from the death of her predecessor at Chelsea, Matt Beard, after the shock news of his death at the age of 47 last month. Continue reading…
