“Leadership Can Be Lonely”- Emma Hayes Stresses on Tackling ‘Coaching Biasedness’ During USWNT’s Olympic Gold in Paris

When a new manager joins a team, they typically aim to settle in as quickly as possible with the players. Sure, a traditional step, considering that's the only choice they have. But who would have thought that Emma Hayes would take this step a notch up just moments after joining the US Women's National Team, just because there existed 'inherent biases' within her own new team?

For those wondering what extra step the former Chelsea boss took, it was apparently hiring an executive coach for herself. But why? When coaches are the ones who take care of players, do the masters also require the same? Well, to an extent, yes, even though you may not have witnessed it before. Call Hayes a pioneer in this, as she collaborated with Fiona Roberts, a mindset expert who previously worked with Lane4, the performance company that played a key role in Gareth Southgate's transformation of England's men's team culture.

Of course, the presence of Roberts couldn't have been less than a blessing for Hayes, especially during the 2024 Paris Olympics. "Without that support I wouldn't have got it done," said the 48-year-old in a recent exclusive chat with Jonathan Northcroft for The Times. "Leadership can be lonely and there can be inherent biases in your own coaching team so it was great to have an outsider who could reflect on my behaviors, then get me to reframe things."

Such an admission only suggests that Fiona Roberts deserves extra commendation for the USWNT's emphatic gold medal victory in the Summer Games. "It was fascinating to have an executive coach side by side, alive with me through the biggest tournament I've ever experienced and I f—ing loved it," said Hayes, sharing how bringing in someone like Fiona Roberts made her transition process much easier with the USWNT.

While everything seemed to have worked out, much credit goes to Matt Crocker, the technical director of the US Soccer. Rest, beyond making the transition period easier, it also helped Hayes to plan the right sessions as well as the selection of the roster. "I found it really helpful to have a coach to help accelerate my understanding of people, who I have never worked with before. I had to do it really quickly, so I didn't have any time to waste," she said in an interview earlier

Then again, beyond these little accomplishments and the good side of coaching, there existed a negative side that left Hayes frustrated!

Emma Hayes shares the existing 'snobbery' in the managerial world! Every coach has their own playbook, guiding their approach and strategy on the pitch. However, Emma Hayes criticizes the self-aggrandizing tendencies within the profession. "There's such a snobbery in our business around the [job] specifications," she told during a similar chat. "Everybody loves to spin a yarn about how amazing they are as a coach."

What she finds most disappointing is how coaches often exaggerate or idealize their methodologies when asked to describe their playbook. She even shared the most 'infuriating' thing when a coach responded 'We like to play an attractive style of football', when asked about their playing style. "What the f–k does that mean? I've never heard anything more ridiculous than that," she concluded.

Regardless, it's Emma Hayes, who looks to be stelled with conventional coaching ways by bringing her own fusion to the game. Whatever floats her boat!