“America means more to me than most people realize,” these remarks from Emma Hayes are enough to suggest that she may have been born and raised in England, but her heart has always been set in the United States. Sure, one cannot underestimate her significant domestic triumphs on her home soil, but winning the Olympic gold medal as the USWNT manager is truly one for the books. However, for Hayes, it’s not about the importance of the achievement itself – she has a problem with her own country’s nature.

Well, it’s not like we are hearing such an admission from Hayes’ mouth for the first time; In the past, there have been instances where the former Chelsea boss has vocally admitted how her own nation failed to recognize the women’s game, while the States cherishes it like no other. “Equality,” said Hayes when asked what differentiated her time in England from the American dream.

“We win the Olympics and in America they want to talk about the greatness of winning an Olympics. I come to England and have a week with the press and they want to ask me when I’m going into the men’s game! The morbid fascination with asking me that question … Going forward, I’m just going to refuse to answer it. Because I realize it’s just clickbait,” Hayes added during an exclusive chat with The Times.

It’s true that in England, the men’s game has dominated since the early centuries, even though the women’s game was introduced around the same time. This is exactly what disappoints Hayes—despite returning home as a champion, she found herself being asked about issues surrounding the men’s side instead. “It’s sad that, as an Olympic gold medal-winning coach, the biggest priority for every media outlet in the British interviews I did afterwards was the men’s game. It’s small-minded in so many ways,” concluded Hayes.

No wonder that right after winning the Olympics, she expressed her special regard for the United States and its excellence in embracing and celebrating the women’s game, even though it came with a subtle dig at her own country.

Emma Hayes was meant to live the American dream

Beyond the recent Summer Games achievement, the United States has a special place in the 48-year-old’s heart. The London-born manager revealed that while the men’s game was the subject of widespread admiration, the women’s game was barely acknowledged by the British public. This led Hayes to begin living the American dream at a young age. At just 20 years old, she came from a society that was quite conservative and did not embrace women’s football or women in the sport.

“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 said, making it obvious why she didn’t hesitate in leaving England’s domestic culture for the USWNT job. Also, do not forget that for future reference, she mastered how to tackle the biased takes.