Emma Hayes: Winning Champions League would be fairytale end to time at Chelsea

Emma Hayes admitted it would be a fairytale end to her Chelsea profession by lifting the Women’s Champions League for the primary time at the end of the season.

Hayes will end her 12-year stick with the west-London membership after this marketing campaign.

The Champions League is the one main trophy that has eluded the 47-year-old throughout that time, with the Blues having misplaced 4-0 within the 2021 last to Barcelona and reached the semi-finals on three different events.

Speaking forward of Chelsea’s opening Group D fixture v Real Madrid, Hayes instructed a press convention: “It would be a fairytale to win it, after all. But I didn’t develop up liking fairytales – my sister did.

“I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.”

Chelsea beat Real 2-0 at Kingsmeadow final season courtesy of objectives from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert earlier than they drew 1-1 within the Spanish capital.

And Hayes, who highlighted the specter of left-back Olga Carmona, believes the expertise of taking part in Wednesday’s opponents has helped her facet’s preparations.

Attention turns to the Champions League. #UWCL pic.twitter.com/tLAWzzJjrb

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) November 14, 2023

She added: “We have analysed final season’s match and Real Madrid’s different matches, together with this weekend’s match (7-1 win v Real Sociedad). We know what to count on.

“I feel having been right here helps, it’s one thing acquainted, however we don’t underestimate them.

“They have many qualities, however I feel they’ve the most effective on the extremes. The means to go upwards, particularly on the left with Olga.

“They have players looking for the back and putting balls into the area and they are very good in transition.”

Chelsea captain Millie Bright admitted the information of Hayes’ departure is “devastating”.

She mentioned: “It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind. I used to be devastated.

“She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach – it’s more than football playing under her. It is the hard part of football. I feel privileged to have played under her for so long.”