Few names in women's soccer have had the impact Emma Hayes achieved in such a short time leading the USWNT. In naming her the FIFA Best Women's Coach of 2024, Hayes proved not only her talent on the sidelines but cemented herself as one of the brightest minds in the sport. Her victory, with 23 points, ahead of Jonatan Giráldez and Arthur Elias, crowned a year where the English coach won at both club and international levels.
From Chelsea to leading the USWNT
Hayes' path was one of milestones in 2024. In November 2023, Hayes announced her exit from Chelsea FC, where she had formed one of the most successful spells in the history of the WSL. She had led the team to the capture of the seventh WSL title, a fifth straight, before leaving the team and then landing in the United States a few days later to handle the USWNT.
Her mission was to restore the USWNT's dominance after a period of ups and downs. And Hayes delivered. In just 10 matches, she restored the sheen, culminating in the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The achievement was emblematic: six straight wins, with three knockout matches won 1-0, two of them decided in extra time.
Emma Hayes' signature
In the knockout games, Hayes depended on defensive consistency and emotional control to take her players to the top of the podium.
Players like Alyssa Naeher, who shined as the competition's best goalkeeper, Naomi Girma, and captain Lindsey Horan were key pieces of this process. It's no surprise that all three were included in the The Best FIFA Women's 11, highlighting the team's collective strength under Hayes' leadership.
US Soccer CEO JT Batson made his admiration clear: "We truly appreciate the joy and energy Emma brought to the team and to U.S. Soccer. Her dedication to our players and to soccer in the United States is inspiring." Gratitude and a vision for the future
With the Olympic gold medal in hand, as well as two individual awards-the Ballon d'Or for Best Women's Coach of the Year and now this-the FIFA The Best, Hayes has remained humble. In fact, she said as much: "It's been an incredible year on so many levels, but my overwhelming feeling is gratitude. I never imagined I'd be here, leading a gold medal-winning team.
The vision of Hayes does not end in 2024; with her eyes on 2025, she has said, "The work would be carried on with USWNT with a solid base for newer titles." Her apt strategic planning and motivating skills make her one of the prime mentors to return the USWNT to being favorites in any competition. The elite of coaching
With the 2024 award, Emma Hayes joins an even more exclusive list. She is now the second coach, alongside Sarina Wiegman, to take the FIFA Best Women's Coach award home in more than one year. Hayes first won the award in 2021 while still at Chelsea FC.
Against the field of nominees this year, Hayes was the clear superior. Spanish coach Jonatan Giráldez, who won with Barcelona before joining Washington Spirit, finished runner-up with 20 points, and Brazilian coach Arthur Elias, guiding Brazil through a transitional period, completed the podium with 13 points.
Winning on every front
And when one talks about the credentials, there is Emma Hayes, who has done that very thing on both the club and international levels: Another year, another league title taken for Chelsea; an Olympic gold medal to take the USWNT back to the pinnacle of the women's game.
A blend of strategy, emotional intelligence, and inspiration has created a leadership style that now solidifies her as one of the most influential figures in women's soccer today. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Hayes has built the foundations for a successful future with the USWNT-confirmation once more that she is one of the world's best coaches.