OFFICIAL: Emma Hayes wins The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2024

OFFICIAL: US & former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes wins The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2024

United States women’s national team coach Emma Hayes was honored at the ‘The Best’ Awards gala in Doha.

Emma Hayes made history at the FIFA ‘The Best’ awards held on Tuesday, December 17 in the city of Doha, after being awarded the best coach of the year.

Hayes, who currently coaches the United States women’s national team, won the English Super League with Chelsea before leaving to coach the USWNT, with whom she would also win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics just months later.

The United States beat Brazil in the grand final to win a gold medal that they had not won since London 2012, falling short in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021. The USWNT defeated Brazil 1-0 with a goal from Mallory Swanson.

What’s in store for Hayes and the USWNT in 2025?

Emma Hayes acknowledged that it has been an incredible year both for her and the players she coaches and even expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming challenges she will face with the four-time world champion.

“It’s been an incredible year on so many levels, but my overriding emotion is gratitude,” Hayes said. “I want to thank everyone who has been with us on this journey -especially the players, coaches and staff at Chelsea and the USWNT. Midway through 2023, I never thought I’d be sitting here as part of a gold medal-winning team, but I’ve loved working with the players and I’m so excited about 2025 and executing our strategy. It’s going to be an exciting time for the players as we continue to build on what we accomplished in 2024.”

The first challenge that the USWNT will face in the New Year is the SheBelieves Cup. The United States begin their defence of the trophy against Columbia in Houston on 21 February, then face Australia two days later in Glendale before concluding the group stage against Japan, in San Diego on 27 February.

After that, Hayes' team have two friendlies lined up against Brazil in California - on 5 April at Sofi stadium in Los Angeles then at Paypal Park in San Jose on 9 April.

See the eight names shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2024 and the accomplishments that got them there.

Eight names are on the shortlist. Read about what they did from 21 August 2023 to 10 August 2024 to get there, and cast your vote for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach.

Arthur Elias

The Sao Paulo native waved his magic wand at both club and international level. First, Arthur led Corinthians to the Brasileirão and Libertadores crowns, masterminding a final reverse of arch-rivals Palmeiras in the latter. Then, after succeeding Pia Sundhage at the controls, he guided Brazil to runners-up finishes at the Concacaf W Gold Cup and the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, losing two very competitive deciders 1-0 to USA.

Sonia Bompastor

The Division 1 title was claimed for a 17th time in 18 years as Bompastor’s Lyon secured glory, scoring 3.73 goals per game on average and finishing 11 points clear of Paris Saint-Germain, who they went on to defeat in the play-off final to clinch yet another crown. Les Lyonnaises also got the better of PSG in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals, only to fall to Barcelona in the decider.

Jonatan Giraldez

The Galician guided Barcelona to an almost impeccable 2023/24. They won 45 games from 48 overall, winning all four competitions possible. The pick of them was the Women’s Champions League in which they produced a memorable comeback away to Chelsea in the semi-finals and sunk Lyon in the final.

Emma Hayes

A 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United on the final day saw Chelsea pip Manchester City to the Women’s Super League crown on goal difference, earning Hayes a fairy-tale ending to her 12-year tenure. The Englishwoman subsequently returned Stateside, where her coaching career began, to take charge of USA, swiftly leading them to Olympic gold.

Futoshi Ikeda

The man from Tokyo oversaw the Nadeshiko's qualification for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in style. At Paris 2024, Japan then impressed in reaching the quarter-finals, seeing off Brazil 2-1 along the way.

Gareth Taylor

The former Wales forward guided Manchester City on a 14-game winning run that catapulted them from sixth to first in the Women’s Super League. A penultimate day slip-up ultimately allowed Chelsea to snatch the trophy on goal difference, but it was still a stellar season for the Academy Stadium side, who also reached the League Cup semi-finals.

Elena Sadiku

The young Swede became Celtic’s first female head coach in January. They rapidly clicked on Sadiku, and a 14-match unbeaten run – completed by an 11th-hour winner on the final day – saw them pip arch-rivals Rangers on goal difference and conquer their first Scottish Women’s Premier League crown.

Sandrine Soubeyrand

The Saint-Agreve native concocted giant-slayings of Arsenal and Wolfsburg to get Paris FC into the group stage of the Women’s Champions League. There, they beat Real Madrid home and away. The Parisiens also finished third in the French top tier in 2023/24.