Professionalism is what sets elite sports personnel apart from their contemporaries. USWNT‘s coach, Emma Hayes, is one such example who made her mark as one of the best in soccer. But as she gears up for the new role, a mighty challenge awaits her in the form of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the USWNT expected to bring gold after 12 years. Having taken several daring steps throughout her career, the decision to move to the USA despite tremendous success at Chelsea was probably the most daring. But did you know her son was one of the motivators behind accepting the job?

Was he the only reason, or were there other factors to consider before making the switch from WSL to becoming the manager of the USWNT? Given how important a personality she’s become since starting her career as a coach, it makes sense why people want to know who Emma Hayes has in her corner.

That said, while she hasn’t extensively talked about her personal life, a few reports suggest that Hayes has been in a relationship for 20 years. Her partner’s name is Gavin. Considering she’s never discussed her relationship in public, it’s unclear if she’s married or not. However, the 47-year-old has one child.

It was in December 2017 that Hayes announced her pregnancy and revealed that she was expecting twins in June. But in May, she gave birth to her son, Harry, but lost his brother, Albie, inside her womb around the 28th week. That loss hit her hard, and instead of taking time off from her job as Chelsea’s manager, she came back after just eight weeks. In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, Hayes opened up about the impact of this on her, revealing that for four years – from 2017 to 2022 – “I haven’t been right.”

“When I knew I was only going to deliver one live baby, I hadn’t actually contemplated I still had to deliver two. I just needed to get Harry into this world healthy,” the USWNT manager said, which made her realize why taking a break after an experience as traumatic as losing a child is important. “I didn’t prepare for the significant hormonal, physical, and emotional challenge.” While speaking about Albie, she couldn’t help but get extremely emotional. But watching Harry grow up, as happy as he was, helped her find herself again.

Emma Hayes expressed, “That moment [I lost Albie] will never leave me, and I feel sad for Harry, who doesn’t have a brother. I’m not saying it doesn’t hurt now, but I accept it… But for those first four years, I was just trying to survive. I felt exhausted. But I woke up when Harry turned four this May. That was the first time I thought: ‘I’m back. I’m back!’” When she took time off to deliver Harry, Hayes also missed Chelsea’s WSL winning celebrations in 2018 as she was advised not to travel during that time. And now her son Harry plays a major role in her life and was even pivotal for Hayes taking up the USWNT role.

How did Emma Hayes’ son play a role in her joining the USWNT?

In November, Emma Hayes struck the biggest deal for a women’s coach in soccer, signing her contract with the Stars and Stripes. However, it was not the money but spending time with her son that led her to make such a decision. While at Chelsea, Hayes used to spend 4 hours traveling for 6 days a week, having done that for the past 12 years. Besides wanting to spend more time with her son, it was also because of the passing of her father.

At 82, Emma Hayes’ father passed away around the time she got the offer from the USWNT. Still reeling from that loss, the 47-year-old realized she needed some change in her life. “Truthfully, I was grieving, and I couldn’t think of anything else. I didn’t have any feeling at that point,” she revealed. Having lived in England her whole life, not to mention her son grew up there, too, this was a big decision. But Harry gave her the endorsement she needed.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Hayes discussed the conversation she had with her son. “I asked him, ‘Mummy’s got the chance to go and coach the USA team, or we can stay here?’ and his reaction really helped me.” Per Hayes, her son hugged and kissed her and said, “Let’s go to the USA, Mummy, I’m really excited. I want to go to the USA,” leaving her emotional at that time.

Both Emma Hayes and the USWNT have moved into a new era, and with the 47-year-old getting more time with her son, fans of the Stars and Stripes would hope her professional career continues joyfully, too.