Emma Hayes nearly quit Chelsea in November before crisis talks as she was left unhappy at reports the club had offered to QUADRUPLE her wages before she agreed to join USWNT
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Emma Hayes came close to quitting Chelsea midway through this season due to her belief that senior figures at the club were briefing against her.
Mail Sport has learned that it took crisis talks last November to persuade Chelsea’s iconic manager to stay and complete the campaign after it was announced that she would be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
Hayes can finish with a fairytale ending by leading Chelsea to their fifth successive Women’s Super League title if her side match Manchester City‘s result in the final round of fixtures tomorrow, but for a period last autumn there were serious concerns at the club that she would not finish the season.
The 47-year-old is understood to have been particularly unhappy at reports that Chelsea had offered to quadruple her wages in order to sign a new contract at the club before she agreed to join the United States national team as head coach, which she hinted at in a feisty press conference on 10 November.
‘I believe in private conversations,’ Hayes said at the time. ‘I leave at the end of the season knowing I have given everything and have done everything. Things and conversations that are private between myself and the club will remain private at my end. I will maintain that.’
Emma Hayes came close to quitting Chelsea midway through this season before crisis talks
Hayes could lead the Blues to their fifth successive Women’s Super League title on Saturday
Hayes is understood to have given serious consideration to leaving Chelsea then before being talked around, with the club providing reassurances that no more details of her contractual situation would be made public.
The strength of Hayes’ bond with and commitment to her players and coaching staff was also an influential factor in her decision.
Hayes’ final season at Chelsea has been a turbulent one, but after a shock defeat to Arsenal in last month’s Conti Cup final and a second successive Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona she can leave on a high with a record eighth WSL title this weekend.
Chelsea travel to Manchester United with a two-goal advantage over Manchester City, who are away at Aston Villa.
Chelsea declined to comment.
