Emma Hayes is no less than a knight in shining armor. No, we’re not just referring to her coming through in the clutch for the US Women’s National Team, lifting them from the depths of despair to restore their dominance and glory with a recent Olympic triumph. It seems she’s also played the role of a savior in the life of her former WSL rival, manager Carla Ward. The former Aston Villa manager herself made the revelation during a lengthy chat on talkSPORT. Interestingly, during the conversation, Ward narrated the time she lost all faith in herself after Chelsea ladies inflicted a heavy 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa women in the latter’s home ground.

The English tactician revealed it was also the day when Emma decided to tell the nation she was leaving and it would be her last season at Chelsea. We had just been hammered 0-6, the worst defeat certainly in my career,” began Ward. “I looked at Emma and I said ‘What do I say here?’ Because I thought I’m getting the sack after this game, that’s what I thought. 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 choice but to face the press after the game, Ward kept her head high and followed Hayes’ advice. “I did and then I started talking about the reality of the fact of what you give. You’re a mom to the players as well as your daughter you actually just be you and 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.”

Notably, Aston Villa Women had endured possibly the worst start to their 2023/24 WSL campaign. They lost all of their first five matches, each against top-tier teams, including Manchester United (1-2), Liverpool (2-0), Arsenal (2-1), Tottenham (2-4), and a crushing defeat to Chelsea (0-6). This dismal run led Ward to speculate about her own future at the club.

However, Hayes’ words from the dugout offered her a glimmer of hope, inspiring her to push through and do her best to turn things around. Aston Villa ultimately finished the season in 7th place with 24 points—a respectable result given their rocky start. No wonder to this day Ward holds Hayes in such high regard!

Carla Ward calls Emma Hayes ‘best in the world’

For those unaware, Emma Hayes had called up Carla Ward to become a part of her coaching staff at the eleventh hour. She had joined the American ladies in Marseille and helped the 47-year-old tactician with whatever she could soon after leaving Aston Villa. Working with the former Chelsea boss was surely an experience that Ward will never forget, as she praised the USA manager. “She’s fascinating. Look, Emma speaks, people listen. It blew me away actually just how she delivers a message and how simple she makes it and that’s why she’s the best in my opinion, the best in the world,” said Carla.

Surely, the former Villa manager must have learned a thing or two while spending time with the Olympic-winning team, especially from Emma Hayes, whom she truly owes.