Seeing Emma Hayes lead the USWNT to an Olympic gold win in just 81 days, fans in the UK wonder why she chose the US instead of the England women’s team. Fueling the fire surrounding this talk, the London-born Hayes said she was better off in America than in England. So, many English soccer lovers criticized Hayes for leaving for the US for selfish reasons and some believe it is “weird” for a Briton to help another country win the Olympic gold. But not every Briton is pissed at the London-born former Chelsea boss for extending her services to the USWNT.

In fact, Britain’s biggest soccer figure, David Beckham, is impressed by Emma Hayes’s strong start with the USWNT. The former English skipper also acknowledged Team USA’s Olympic win in a tournament, where Team GB failed to participate. On Instagram, Emma Hayes and the USWNT shared a group picture featuring the gold medal winners.

Beckham instantly noticed Hayes’ post, and commented, “Congratulations Emma Hayes. Proud moment.”

The USWNT boss wasted no time and thanked Beckham for his sweet gesture. The boss, who is 47 years old, has always held David Beckham in high esteem. When Chelsea’s Lauren James was subjected to racial abuse, Hayes likened the players’ struggles to Beckham’s during England’s 1998 World Cup exit. The Inter Miami owner was then under severe verbal abuse from fans for seeing a red card in England’s WC loss to Argentina. If Hayes had such empathy for Beckham, it’s not surprising to see him take pride in her accomplishment.

Anyhow, regardless of Beckham’s grand praise, English fans won’t easily bury the hatchet with Hayes. Let’s see what Hayes said about her homeland and the US.

Fan fury continues, as Emma Hayes thanks the US for better opportunities than England

“I’ve always found myself to be a little bit lighter when I’m in America,” said Emma Hayes in a post-Olympic interview. Besides, though, the 47-year-old achieved superstardom in the Women’s Super League with Chelsea, she is thankful she embarked on her coaching journey in the US.

“I went to America, and they looked after me, and they nurtured me and they opened doors for me and they gave me opportunities that England never ever gave me,” Hayes added.

She pointed out that the Olympic gold win was her way of repaying the USA. But this is what many English people think of the former Chelsea boss.

“Any chance America can give her US citizenship? The sooner the better,” read a comment, in response to Emma Hayes’ Sky Sports interview. “What about all the titles you won with chelsea emma ??? ” another user questioned the coach. Notably, the 47-year-old had said her Olympic win with Team USA was bigger than the seven WSL titles she won with Chelsea.

“Sorry to say this. Ran way from Britain. Just for herself. I glad she has gone. Never like her,” another user fired at Emma Hayes. Though the 47-year-old spent her initial managerial stint in the US, she returned to England as Arsenal’s assistant coach and then as Chelsea’s head coach. Hayes’ Chelsea stint was one for the books. Yet, fans surprisingly think she turned her back on Britain.

“Such a shame you couldn’t do it for England,” the fan fury continues. Interestingly, Team Great Britain did not participate in the women’s Olympic soccer tournament. There’s no chance whatsoever for Emma Hayes to do it, even if she wanted to.

Since the USWNT coach is the talk of the town in the Olympics’ aftermath, we could see more responses from furious English fans. But Hayes surely has bigger plans for the USWNT, as the upcoming World Cup is looming over. Tell us about your thoughts regarding Hayes and English fans in the comments below.