The impact of Emma Hayes in the WSL was undeniable. By this, we are not just indicating the decade-plus of domestic success with her former side Chelsea. Who knew the English tactician had also extended a helping hand to her rival teams? In fact, former WSL manager Carla Ward revealed that Hayes ‘guided‘ her through major difficulties.

Ward’s managerial career began at Sheffield United in 2018, where after coaching for a couple of years, the 40-year-old joined Birmingham City for a year-long gig. During her second game in charge of the Small Heath-based club, she faced Hayes’ Chelsea, making her nervous. “I’m thinking ‘I’m going to get absolutely walloped here in the position,'” she began while speaking on the latest episode of talkSPORT. “But we spoke before the game and she was like ‘Anything you need let me know.'”

Ward, already anxious, had no choice but to grab Hayes’ helping hand, which led to the beginning of their friendship. “We became friends and she guided me. I would say things in the media that I shouldn’t have said and she’d be on the phone, ‘Don’t say this. You need some help.’ She guided me because I needed it as well. I was raw, say what I think, and sometimes that can hurt you,” added Carla.

One can say that Hayes advised and directed Ward like her own sister. This significantly helped the former Birmingham manager to face the challenges of WSL at ease. “She guided me a lot through good and through bad and we had a really turbulent year that year as everybody knows at Birmingham so I think without her, I would have struggled big time,” concluded Ward.

After a year in charge of Birmingham City, Ward joined Aston Villa for three seasons. That was also a journey full of ups and downs but there was a period of doubt as dark clouds hovered over the former Bristol Rovers and Leeds United manager. Guess who helped Carla at her lowest?

How did Emma Hayes save Carla Ward from losing her job?

In a similar account, Carla Ward shared how she lost all confidence after Aston Villa Women suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat at home to Chelsea. Coincidentally, it was also the day Emma Hayes announced that she would be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season. Ward felt uncertain about how to address the media and her team following the worst defeat of her career. Luckily, Hayes had some wisdom to offer.

“I looked at Emma and I said ‘What do I say here?’ Because I thought I’m getting the sack after this game. Just being beaten five games on the chart I’m going and she said ‘Go and be yourself don’t listen to anything else.’” With no option but to speak to the press after the match, Ward held her head high and followed Hayes’ guidance.

“I think that saved my job. That one interview after the game,” added the 40-year-old manager, admitting that she “didn’t speak about anything other than what I actually felt in that moment.” Be that as it may, helping the needy is certainly quite a remarkable quality of Emma Hayes that makes her stand out among others.