It’s hard to believe, but Chelsea Women’s narrow win over Crystal Palace in the FA Women’s Cup quarter-final last night was no ordinary victory. Why, you ask? Well, that’s because yesterday, not only did Chelsea’s men’s side secure a 1-0 victory over Leicester City, but the Blues consortium-led, American investor Todd Boehly-owned French side, Strasbourg, also claimed a similar close win over Nantes in Ligue 1. Coincidence? Yes. But what made these wins even more special wasn’t just this uncanny triple 1-0 score line—it was the emphatic return of Emma Hayes to her Chelsea roots.

We hope it’s not hard to believe anymore, eh? Well, that’s just how the beautiful game unfolds sometimes. But addressing the elephant in the room—Emma Hayes might have left ardent Chelsea fans both in awe and shock last night. Surprisingly, she was spotted in the Stamford Bridge stands alongside Todd Boehly, watching Enzo Maresca’s side secure a crucial three points.

It’s not like this is the first time she spectated the men’s game in the stands. During her time at the WSL, the 48-year-old frequently made such surprise visits. But what may catch many off-guard is the fact that Hayes rather ditched her former women’s side for the men’s instead. Not to mention, the Blue ft. ladies were playing a crucial FA Women’s Cup game.

Regardless, who knows? She perhaps would have already paid a visit to the 7x WSL leaders that are now being led by Sonia Bompastor. If not, she might at least consider doing so. Now that she has some time on her hands after the SheBelieves Cup campaign with the USWNT, a quick meet-up with her former players and colleagues would surely bring a wave of nostalgia and a much-needed breather. At the same time, the English tactician may also take the chance to reunite with loved ones at her family-owned Camden pub—now that the whole town knows she’s back, even if only for a short while.

Notably, the last time Hayes was officially in London was at the end of November 2024. She had arrived alongside the U.S. Women’s National Team for an exciting friendly clash—against none other than her home nation, the Lionesses. An 80,000-strong Wembley crowd witnessed their iconic manager in a different dugout. As for the match, it ended in a surprising stalemate.

That visit also marked her first return to her hometown since parting ways with Chelsea Women in the summer to embark on her international journey. And, of course, Emma hadn’t returned to her country empty-handed—she arrived as a champion, having led the USWNT to Olympic gold in 2024.

Either way, it’s good that Hayes decided to fly back to her birthplace while she had time. Not to remind her that after this, she has some serious work to do!

Emma Hayes gears up for a tedious spring

The start of this year was somewhat on a more strategic note for Emma Hayes with the USWNT. During January, she summoned players for the inaugural camp of 2025 which is a training planned mostly for youth talents. A month later came the much-anticipated SheBelieves Cup, which unfolded uniquely.

While easy 2-0 and 2-1 triumphs were secured against Colombia and Australia, they lost the final game against Japan with a similar tally of 2-1. The Asian side was far more dominant in the 10th edition of the American exhibition, as their initial 4-0 and 4-1 victories over Matildas and Colombia proved favorable to help them lift the silverware on the rival’s home turf.

Now, the USWNT are gearing up for its April camp where they’ll be facing Brazil on two separate occasions. While the opening game is on April 5 at SoFI Stadium, Inglewood, California, the return fixture is on April 8 at PayPal Park, San Jose, California. That’s not the end of it as the American ladies have also sorted out their plans beyond the next month.

The U.S. Soccer Federation recently announced a pair of friendlies against China. The first match is set for Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. The return fixture will follow on Tuesday, June 3, at Energizer Park in St. Louis, where legendary defender Becky Sauerbrunn will receive a special send-off before kick-off.

All in all, a lot is in store for the USWNT and on Emma Hayes’ plate as well.