“Weird and unbelievable all at once.” A feeling that Emma Hayes described as an Olympian after leading USWNT to gold in Paris with a narrow win over Brazil. ‘Unbelievable’ because it’s a historic milestone that she achieved the feat in her international debut, and ‘weird’ perhaps she won for a nation where she wasn’t born.

It’s not like coaches hailing from different countries can’t manage other national teams. But still, one may question if she clinched this unprecedented feat with the US, then such can be done so with the Lionesses. Though there’s no denying she would have picked England, it’s her past connection with the Americans that made her decide.

“I’ve always found myself to be a little bit lighter when I’m in America. I don’t know why that is. Maybe my formative years working there have such an appreciation for the place,” she said while speaking to Sky News. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud English woman today winning a gold medal, be it for another country,” added Hayes.

Luckily, Team GB wasn’t there in the summer games. Therefore, there wasn’t any kind of conflict of interest. Regardless, ‘genuinely speechless’ is how Hayes describes the feeling of opening her silverware account in the international arena. It simultaneously stands as an outstanding moment for the Star and Stripes ft. ladies, who won a historic fifth gold medal in the history of women’s soccer Olympics.

Notably, it has mostly been England where Hayes has spent time; coaching Chelsea for over 12 years, winning 7 WSL titles, and whatnot. Yet, it’s America that the 47-year-old favors. This explains why the country has a special place in Emma’s heart, as the manager calls it a place that accepted her, unlike her own nation!

Emma Hayes reveals ‘opportunities’ she got from USA over England!

Emma Hayes admitted in a recent interview why America holds a special place in heart, more than England! “America means more to me than most people realize,” she said. The London-born manager revealed that while the men’s game received widespread admiration, the women’s side was largely ignored by the British public, prompting Hayes to pursue the American dream early on.

Age 20 saw her leave “a pretty stuffy society” that failed to embrace the women’s game to live out the American dream. “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. And I’m just so happy, so happy, to repay that faith in me,” she added. At her core, the English manager felt a deep responsibility to give back for everything that American soil had offered her.

After her midfielder career at Arsenal Academy ended with a threatening ankle injury, years later she entered into the managerial foray by becoming a coach at the Liverpool Hope University. Before returning to Gunners as assistant manager, she led the Long Island Ladies towards the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.

Some time was spent with Chicago Red Stars before becoming the technical director at Western New York Flash. She also served as a consultant at Washington Freedom around this time. It was finally in 2012 that saw her picked up Chelsea’s call. Rest, as everyone is aware, it turned out pretty well for the iconic Blues coach.