Despite the challenges, one thing Hayes thrives on is pressure.
Having led Chelsea to the top in the WSL, she had to fend off improving rivals to stay there each season.
She has managed to do this successfully for four seasons in a row, as well as winning five Women’s FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and taking Chelsea to the Women’s Champions League final for the first time in 2021.
She did this while continuing to challenge federations on things such as equal prize money and competition scheduling.
“I know my personality and I’m not afraid to do the tough things even though sometimes I’m the one who takes the battering from it,” said Hayes.
US Soccer said: “Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role.
“Candidates underwent an intense and thorough interview process which included psychometrics and abstract reasoning tests, in-depth discussions of strategy, coaching philosophy and the current player pool, as well as evaluation on the reactions to pressure, culture-building and interactions with players and staff. ”
Hayes has also seen big players leave during her time at Chelsea but has managed to recruit suitable replacements in the transfer window – demonstrating her ability to continually rebuild.
The additions of Serb Jelena Cankovic and five-time Champions League winner Kadeisha Buchanan softened the departure of playmaker Ji So-yun in 2022, while Canadian Ashley Lawrence, and USA internationals Mia Fishel and Catarina Macario made up for this summer’s exits by captain Magdalena Eriksson and striker Pernille Harder – who Chelsea once paid a world record fee for.
Another strength of Hayes is her ability to find innovative ways to stay at the top.
She has sought advice from US basketball coaches, written a book on leadership, has recruited sleep experts, and frequently invited scientists and doctors into Chelsea to share their knowledge on menstrual cycles and training loads.
Scott said: “Every single player that I talk to who has played under Emma just says that her emotional intelligence and how she gets the best out of the players is on another level.”
Anita Asante, who played under Hayes at Chelsea, said: “Throughout my career, whether she’s been my coach or not, she’s always been there for me. She’s that one stable force I knew I could rely on in my time of need or when I was having a low in my football career.
“I never doubted for one second that I could pick up the phone and she would be there to support me through it.
“She would give me advice or help me figure out the next direction I needed to go. I think that speaks to how she treats every player as a person first. I think that’s super important and that’s why our relationship as friends has existed all this time.”
All of these skills make Hayes a perfect candidate but what the USA craves most is a manager who knows how to win – and Hayes has done that in abundance.