‘I can’t believe it’ – Hayes thrilled with Chelsea’s ‘best title’ success | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was in disbelief after her side won the 2023/2024 Barclays Women’s Super League title.

The Blues defeated Manchester United 6-0 at Old Trafford yesterday to secure their fifth consecutive league crown.

While Chelsea went into the final day as title favourites, their hopes had seemed slim just weeks ago following a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool. When speaking in the post-match press conference, Chelsea manager Hayes admitted that she couldn’t believe that her side eventually got over the line.

“We’ve been without Mayra [Ramírez], Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, Lauren James, Millie Bright; we’ve had some big injuries this year,” Hayes said. “Losing the volume of leadership that we have at the back and up top did take its toll, plus the transitioning of new players, young players and the diminishing role of some of the senior players. That’s why for me, this is the best title because we’re not stupid, we know we weren’t at our best but for us to win the title, wow, I don’t think you realise how hard it is to win and win and win.

“Some of these teams don’t change their sides or they’re in the peak of their eras and they play a game a week, we don’t, we play significantly more games if you look over the last five years. I think it took it’s toll as well as Olympics, plus World Cup, plus EUROs in terms of our senior players.

“I almost can’t believe we’ve won the title, I can’t believe it.”

Colombian forward Ramírez played a huge role in Chelsea’s final day success at Old Trafford. She scored two goals and provided two assists in The Blues’ victory. Hayes revealed that it was touch and go whether Ramírez would make the squad.

She said “Mayra only did half a session yesterday and maybe in normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have played. Obviously, her hamstring is taped up and she’s had five or six days. I didn’t know if she’d be available for the game but I went into training, we both speak Spanish and she looked at me and she said ‘I’m ready, I’m playing’.

“I think that gave us a big boost, we just had to manage her in training. She was sensational, absolutely sensational first half but the whole team were.”

After completing her time with Chelsea, Hayes will now begin work with the United States. She hasn’t ruled out a return to her beloved club in the future.

She said “If I’m ever to be around club football again, I don’t expect it’ll be in coaching but when my tenure is done with the United States, if Chelsea ever need me, they know what my number is.”

Hayes leaves Chelsea following a 12-year spell as manager in which she has won 16 domestic trophies.