Return to familiar grounds as a manager often brings emotions. Be it Xabi Alonso’s return to Liverpool as Bayer Leverkusen boss or Jose Mourinho’s infamous visit to Camp Nou with Inter Milan, Emma Hayes finds herself in a similar situation to these soccer legends as her USWNT side is all set to play in a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium. 

When ‘God Save the King’ plays at Wembley, Emma admitted that it will bring mixed emotions for her, during a media conference ahead of the game. “Of course, I have to go through a weird moment when the national anthem is playing, but it is something I will hum along to as I’ve always done, being the English person I am, but I will also do the same for the American anthem because I love them both.”

Hayes is no stranger to Wembley, the iconic stadium which has hosted several of her trophies while being the Chelsea manager. Stirring up more emotion is the fact that she will be facing England’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, who she has known from her time at Stamford Bridge. Given her success in England, the English fans are sure to welcome her with open arms. 

The USWNT manager began her homecoming in some style with a visit to The World’s End in Camden, a pub she used to often visit in her younger days. Apart from that being the venue for the press conference, she was surrounded by friends, family, and members from various Football groups. Hayes even stepped in to pour pints which added a personal touch to the venue. 

After jumping across the pond, Emma Hayes has smoothly transitioned into the managerial job for the Stars and Stripes, winning Olympic gold in her first major tournament. The last time the USWNT faced England was at Wembley, where the Lionesses came out on top, so this time around Hayes’s side will be looking forward to upsetting the current European champions.

Emma Hayes to ‘face’ familiar faces

The USWNT will be facing Sarina Wiegman’s England squad, someone who Emma Hayes knows from her Chelsea days. She will also be reuniting with Millie Bright and Fran Kirby, both key members of Hayes’ Chelsea squad, with Kirby sharing an especially close bond with the former Blues manager. 

During her time at Stamford Bridge, Hayes won 261 of her 367 games, boasting an impressive win percentage of 71.12%. She revolutionized the Chelsea squad which went on to win 7 FA Women’s Super League trophies, with 5 of them coming in a row between the 2019/20 – 2023/24 season. 

With an illustrious career spanning two decades, Hayes now sets her sights on leading the Stars and Stripes to glory in the 2027 World Cup. However, her upcoming challenge lies in beating her home nation at a sold-out Wembley.