Millie Bright warns Chelsea will stay focused as Emma Hayes is announced as US Women’s team boss
EMMA HAYES has been announced as USA Women’s team head coach weeks after being linked with one of football's most coveted jobs.
Confirmation of her appointment comes one night before her Chelsea side face Real Madrid in their Champions League opener.
Her move will see her become the highest paid coach in women's football
Blues captain Millie Bright jokingly warned she could get a verbal “battering” from Hayes if she and her team-mates become distracted by her impending departure.
Bright, face Madrid in the contest's group stages, said: "Knowing Emma, she wants us to do everything the same regardless of her departure.
"That's the mentality and the values that she's installed in all of us as players and at the club.
"For us, everything remains the same. If we act any differently, I'm sure I’d get a battering from her!
"We know we have to be focused and that it's game-by-game.
"We've got to go out there and perform first and foremost, and don't look too far ahead. Just stay in our lane."
On Tuesday evening USA Soccer unveiled Hayes as the new boss of their four-time Women’s World Cup-winning side.
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The news comes ten days after Chelsea announced the long-serving coach will leave the club after 12 years at the helm of the WSL title-holders.
Of her appointment, Hayes, 47, said: "This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history
"The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep.
"I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true.
"I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels.
"To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the U.S. Soccer Federation.!
Hayes is set to take charge of the USA Women’s team two months before the July 24 start of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Blues chief, who leaves Chelsea at the end of next season, has so far led her current team to six Women’s Super League titles, six FA Cup triumphs and two League Cup wins.
And she also guided the WSL giants to five league and cup double wins and their first Champions League final in 2021.
Hayes appointment will see her undertake her third coaching role in the USA.
Her last job across the pond was as manager of US top-flight women’s side Chicago Red Stars for two years from 2008 to 2010.
US Soccer Cindy Parlow Cone said: "Emma is a fantastic leader and world class coach who sets high standards for herself and for everyone around her.
";She has tremendous energy and an insatiable will to win.
"Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role."
Former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, OL Reign gaffer Laura Harvey and Australia Women’s manager Tony Gustavsson are reported to have been among the other candidates for the job.
Hayes’ coaching credentials and ability to motivate players and staff are said to have been among the key factors that led to her appointment.
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US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said: "Her passion for the game, her coaching acumen, her ability to galvanize players and staff, her dedication to continue to evolve as a coach and her qualities as a person are all incredibly impressive."
"She has a great appreciation for the legacy of this programme and embraces the big challenges ahead."