Legendary Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will depart at the end of the season, the team confirmed Saturday. Anonymous sources confirmed to ESPN that Hayes is set to take the lead role at the U.S. Women's National Team, with a record salary for the women's game. Making her salary equal to men's coach Gregg Berhalter is reportedly to be discussed at the next board meeting.
In her eleven years with Chelsea Hayes has won six WSL titles, five FA Cups, and two FA League Cups, achieving a double twice and one domestic triple.
She has been named FA WSL Manager of the Season six times and LMA WSL Manager of the Season five times. She received an OBE last year for services to football.
The USWNT has been searching for a new manager since Vlatko Andonovski resigned following the U.S.'s earliest ever World Cup exit after a Round-of-16 loss to Sweden. Twila Kilgore has filled the interim role, taking some criticism for not giving younger players enough minutes.
Hayes is expected to juggle both jobs until the end of the WSL season.
"Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge," Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement released on the club's website.
"We are pleased she will remain with the club for the remainder of the season to give us the time to identify her successor.
"There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma's many achievements and to give her the farewell she deserves, but for now, as she always has been, Emma will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea."
Chelsea is unbeaten in the current WSL season.
A formal statement confirming Hayes' appointment is expected.
