In a surprising turn of events, Emma Hayes, the current manager of Chelsea Women in the Women's Super League (WSL), will be leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season to take charge of the U.S. women's national team. Sources involved in the hiring process reveal that Hayes is poised to become the highest-paid coach in world women's football once she joins U.S. Soccer.

Chelsea officially announced Hayes' departure on Saturday, while the U.S. Soccer Federation has refrained from commenting on the matter. Discussions between Hayes and the federation are reportedly at an advanced stage, and should all go according to plan, she will begin her tenure as the head coach of the U.S. women's national team after the conclusion of Chelsea's season.

Hayes, who has been with Chelsea since 2012, has left the west London club with their full support. Chelsea will not be seeking compensation for her early departure, and they have expressed a desire to maintain a strong working relationship with her while she is in the United States. Under Hayes' leadership, Chelsea has achieved significant success, securing six WSL titles, five FA Cups, two FA Women's League Cups, one FA Women's Spring Series trophy, and one Women's Community Shield.

The timing of Hayes' move to the U.S. national team presents an interesting scenario. The Chelsea Women's season is slated to end on May 18th, with the potential for an extension if the team reaches the UEFA Women's Champions League final on May 25th. This means Hayes could join the U.S. team for the international window starting on May 27, 2024. Additionally, there are two games scheduled in a FIFA window from July 8-16, followed by the start of the women's Olympic football tournament on July 25th.

U.S. Soccer's sporting director, Matt Crocker, had previously stated the organization's intention to appoint a permanent successor to former head coach Vlatko Andonovski by early December. Twila Kilgore has been serving as the interim head coach since Andonovski stepped down following the U.S. team's round-of-16 exit at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Emma Hayes' impact on the women's game has been substantial, not just in terms of on-field success but also as an advocate for the sport. She has consistently campaigned for higher standards across the board and has been recognized with multiple awards, including six manager of the season accolades and an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2021 for her contributions to football.

With her impending departure, Chelsea will bid farewell to a managerial figure who has shaped the club's history. As the reigning champions, the team faces an important transition as they continue their pursuit of success in the WSL, while the U.S. women's national team gains a highly regarded and accomplished manager in Emma Hayes.