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Camden New Journal - by CATHERINE ETOE
Published: 15 May 2008

Emma returns to US as Chicago’s coach

EMMA Hayes, the award winning coach who teamed up with Vic Akers to secure the historic quadruple for Arsenal Ladies last season, has revealed she is leaving the club for America.
Former Parliament Hill School pupil Hayes has been snapped up by Chicago to head the club in the new women’s professional soccer league, which is set to kick-off in the States next April.
The 31-year-old, who joined forces with Akers almost two years ago, told the New Journal the offer was too good to turn down. “I’m really sad,” she said. “I’ve been a part of working with a very successful group but I’m seeking another challenge.”
Hayes began her coaching career with Camden Council but jetted to New York in 2001 to coach the W-League’s Long Island Lady Riders, where she won the league and the national coach of the year award.
She went on to win a second coach of the year plaudit and the league championship with Iona College in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
But Hayes was lured back to her native Camden Town in 2006 with an offer to become Akers’ assistant at Arsenal Ladies.
The dream team combination came good in their very first season as the duo guided Arsenal to an unprecedented quadruple of titles – including the prestigious European Cup.
Hayes leaves Arsenal on a high, but insists that she will return to work in the English game again.
“There’s not really a competitive league in this country and we are a way off developing that. I’m hoping to go to the US to pick up a sense of how to run women’s professional football and hopefully come back.”

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