Soccer has done many great things to bridge gaps in the society. From uniting different cultures to giving hope to individuals, the beautiful game has undoubtedly made a positive impact. But have we reached there in terms of providing equal opportunities? Emma Hayes, the USWNT boss recently brought up the issue of how difficult it is even for deserving women to get a chance to manage a men’s team. But despite partially agreeing to her take, former Venezuelan star Ale Moreno gave a counter view suggesting that women coaches wouldn’t suit the men’s unit currently.

In a recent episode of ESPN FC Futbol Americas, the former  Columbus Crew striker said, “Nobody wants to take that first step because this is sort life life-altering. It’s you know paradigm shifting sort of decision and it’s a risk,” initially agreeing with Hayes that the gap lies in decision making.

However, after citing it to be a risky decision he further said, “It’s a risk because we can all agree that the locker room is a very fickle ecosystem. And it doesn’t take much for the locker room to lose its shape and balance. And this wouldn’t be a minor deal, this would be a major deal.” giving his skepticism about the issue. Continuing further “But I slightly disagree with her in saying ‘players will be all about it,’ I haven’t been in a locker room for a long time but I still don’t think that players are quite enamored with the idea or ready for the idea or even think about the idea,” he expressed although he feels it may work if it’s well-planned.

Emma Hayes has recently her astonishment about how the men’s team does not allow women to be head coaches of their teams. The soccer world has hardly seen any women’s coaches lead a top-tier club or a nation, while it is common vice-versa. Thus, for a long time, she opined men’s soccer needs an upgrade stating it to be behind on equality. Moreover, she even claimed that only the owners and the decision-makers are the ones resisting it while the players would have no issue.

Former France sides with Emma Hayes despite the disagreement

While Ale Moreno cast doubt on whether men’s football is truly ready for a woman coach, former World Cup winner Frank Lebouef sees things differently—he believes it’s not just possible, but inevitable. Taking a trip down memory lane, Lebouef pointed to a prime example: Clermont Foot, the French club that made waves by appointing two consecutive female managers between 2014 and 2017. First, Helena Costa, and then Corinne Diacre, proved that women could lead men’s teams, with Diacre guiding the club for an impressive three-year stint.

Lebouef also voiced his frustration at Emma Hayes’ reluctance to break into men’s football, despite her venturing to the USA, a country Lebouef insists is far more progressive when it comes to gender equality in sports. He hinted that the former Chelsea boss should be more optimistic about coaching men’s teams, especially in a football landscape that’s slowly but surely embracing change.

Interestingly, Hayes once turned down the chance to manage AFC Wimbledon’s men’s team, preferring to stay in top-flight women’s football instead. But with women coaches proving themselves capable, could clubs in the States take inspiration from Clermont Foot and start hiring women to lead men’s teams? Drop your thoughts in the comments!