Lack of Women in Women’s Soccer is a ‘Major Problem’: Chelsea’s Emma Hayes on WSL

In the intricate world of soccer management, victories and defeats often overshadow the narratives behind the scenes. Emma Hayes, the powerhouse manager who steered Chelsea Women to countless victories, is now firing a crucial call to action. The Englishwoman, who is set to step down as Chelsea’s boss and take the mantle of USWNT’s managerial seat, demands fairer grounds for female coaches in a sport still dominated by men.

Hayes aims to use her departure as a platform to address a persistent issue in soccer of scarcity of opportunities for female coaching staff. As she emphasized the need for ‘creative solutions’ to tackle the matter, let’s delve deeper and uncover her stance on the narrative.

Emma Hayes advocates for a ‘creative’ solution to overcome challenges

In an exclusive conversation with BBC Sport, Emma Hayes delved into the gravity of the issue. The Chelsea Women’s boss remains concerned regarding the fact that opportunities for female coaches remain ‘few and far between.’ Despite the upsurge in female numbers in soccer, the managerial realm still lacks representation. “We have a lot of work to do to bridge this gap. It is a major problem. We have to recognize that opportunities are scarce, and need to think about different ways of educating women from an early age,” Hayes told BBC Sport.

According to the prospective USWNT manager, the scarcity of female coaches in WSL demands innovative solutions to be implemented. She urges to advocate for earlier coaching education for players, mixed with robust financial support to eliminate this bias. “We have to think about educating players much earlier in their careers. Maybe even during the International break when there’s more downtime. I think we have to come up with more creative ways to get more women involved in coaching at younger ages,” Emma Hayes added.

Hayes also pointed to the “£10,000 ($12,609) Pro License fee” as a major barrier, coupled with the stark wage gap between men’s and women’s games. This call to action issued by Emma Hayes highlights the impending need to introduce more women to the coaching arena in soccer.

READ MORE: ‘Relating’ to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Exit, USWNT Boss Emma Hayes Calls For ‘Mental Health’ Reforms in Soccer

A glimpse into the current WSL scenario

Emma Hayes’ departure from Chelsea raises questions about the representation of women in top managerial roles in the WSL. Just four teams out of the 12 in the Women’s Super League are currently being led by female head coaches. A notable list includes Carla Ward of Aston Villa, Lauren Smith of Bristol City, and Rehanne Skinner of West Ham United. 

Despite the challenges, Hayes remains optimistic. Her upcoming appointment as the USWNT coach makes her the highest-paid female manager in the world. It signifies a positive step towards bridging the gender gap. As she prepares to lead Chelsea to a potential fifth consecutive WSL title, her unwavering focus remains on her team’s performance on the pitch. All eyes will be on Emma Hayes as she leads the charge towards gender equality in sports.

WATCH THIS STORY: Megan Rapinoe Unveiled Her Super Effective Wellness Routine