7 league tiers and close to 94 clubs—England’s domestic scene for the women’s game is as successful as the men’s game. At the pinnacle of the premier women’s club competitions is the Barclays Women’s Super League. Yet, Emma Hayes believes there are a few ‘things‘ that the WSL can learn from America’s National Women’s Soccer League.

This advice comes from a manager who has spent over 12 years in England’s top-flight coaching Chelsea. Astonishment also arises from the fact that she spent a mere 8 years in America, having managed two different clubs and a university team. Regardless, the 47-year-old knows what the women’s domestic scene of her own nation lacks.

Mostly, it’s the off-pitch fortes the WSL needs to focus on. Aside from representing it as a product to fans, its overall gaming experience can be improved. “There are things that they can take from NWSL to bring it into the WSL,” said Hayes while speaking in BBC’s 5 Live Breakfast podcast. “With the league coming into the hands of a new co., hopefully, there will be new opportunities to create innovative ways for our game to grow here in the UK.”

One can’t deny the popularity of the men’s side in England. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and both Manchester clubs have a substantial number of devoted fans. Yet after such passion for the men’s game, the WSL has managed to make its own mark since its inception. Although there are no grumbles about the vogue in the women’s side of the game, it certainly fails to supersede the fandom NWSL possesses.

However, Hayes believes these changes cannot be made overnight. Patience and virtue are required to see the WSL make strides off the pitch like America’s top flight. “People need to understand really that women’s football is still like a start-up business. Rather than replicating everything that’s in the men’s game, I think it’s essential to bring some of the innovations perhaps even from the NWSL. It can really help our game and business grow as a whole,” concluded, Hayes.

The Major League Soccer (MSL) may have been for a long time, but one can’t deny what the NWSL has managed to achieve since its birth in 2012. Every single year, we have witnessed expansion teams, with most clubs having female coaches. No wonder Hayes has always been grateful to America for kick-starting her managerial career!

Emma Hayes reveals what the USA gave that England never

Contrary to popular belief, the United States, not England, laid the foundation for Emma Hayes’ exceptional coaching career. This connection has made the U.S. hold a special place in her heart. “America means more to me than most people realize,” she said in an interview earlier.

The London-born manager reflected on how, while the men’s game captured all the attention in England, the women’s side was largely ignored. This led Hayes to pursue her dreams in America at a young age.

“I was a 20-year-old and had come from a pretty stuffy society that didn’t embrace the women’s game, or women in football, and 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,” she added.

This deep connection explains why Hayes readily accepted the USWNT coaching role. She felt it was a personal duty to give back to the country that had given her so much. How did she do that? Of course, by leading the Star and Stripes ft. ladies to their historic fifth Olympics gold medal recently.