Another day, another honor for U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes.
The former Long Island Lady Riders head coach was named the winner of The Best FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2024 on Tuesday.
On Oct. 28, Hayes was also named the winner of France Football’s Ballon d’Or as the women’s soccer coach of the year.
Hayes led the USA to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this past summer in only her 10th game as head coach.
Certainly, no small feat.
“It’s been an amazing year on many levels, but my overriding emotion is gratitude,” Hayes said in a statement. “I want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us, especially the players, coaches, and staff from Chelsea and the USWNT. In the middle of 2023, I never thought I would be sitting here as part of a gold medal-winning team, but I’ve loved working with the players, and I’m very excited about 2025 and executing our WNT strategy. It’s going to be an exciting time for the players as we continue to build on what we accomplished in 2024.”
After completing her responsibilities with the Chelsea women’s team in England, Hayes directed her first U.S. matches in June and guided the team to the Olympic gold medal. The Americans won six consecutive victories, including all three knockout games by 1-0 scores, with the quarterfinal and semifinal both taking 120 minutes to decide the victor.
“We really appreciate the joy and energy Emma has brought to the team and U.S. Soccer,” U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson said in a statement. “Emma’s dedication to our players, staff, and everyone who cares about soccer in the United States is inspirational, and she is so deserving of this award.”
Hayes coached the Lady Riders in 2002.
