Katie Chapman backs Emma Hayes to succeed in Stateside mission

By Milly McEvoy, Sportsbeat

Katie Chapman has backed departing Chelsea boss Emma Hayes to step up to the challenge of international management flawlessly.

Hayes will leave the Blues at the end of the season to take up the role of the US Women’s National Team head coach ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Chapman worked with Hayes at three different clubs, Arsenal, Chicago Red Stars and Chelsea, where she ended her storied career.

“It will be completely different, but she will absolutely do it, no problem.” Chapman, who was speaking at the Copa del Cure Leukaemia tournament in partnership with Women in Football, said.

“And I think that's the next step for her, isn't it? I think she's won everything domestically; she's done all that part.

“And sometimes, even as players we want new challenges and I think for her it's a new challenge.

“She’ll leave Chelsea with a legacy of being a winner, an absolute winner. She's brought so many trophies to that club.

“I've seen her grow as a coach as well from assistant coach at Arsenal to going to Chicago and then come into Chelsea and she deserves everything she gets, she’s great.”

Chapman was recently recognised alongside Hayes and the rest of the quadruple-winning Arsenal Women’s side of 2007 at the Emirates.

The 41-year-old won five league titles with the Gunners before joining Chelsea after a stint in the States, adding another WSL trophy to her collection.

After retiring in 2018, Chapman took on the role of the first women’s ambassador at Chelsea and has since kept a keen eye on the club’s success.

She would not be drawn, however, on the name of Hayes’ successor with rumours that players have requested the next manager to be a woman.

Chapman added: “That's up to the club, isn't it?

“Of course, it would be nice if it was a woman to come in and coach the team because I think we need to keep encouraging female coaches into football.

“But we’ll have to wait and see.”

Copa del Cure Leukaemia in partnership with Women in Football is Cure Leukaemia’s flagship football tournament held at St George’s Park which offers players the opportunity to live like a pro and play alongside their heroes as they unite in the fight against blood cancer.