Emma Hayes has been crowned the best women's coach at the 2024 FIFA awards after a stellar year with Chelsea and the USWNT.
The 48-year-old led Chelsea for the fifth time in a row WSL title at the end of the 2023/24 season, bringing a glittering end to 12 trophy-laden years at the London club. Success followed as she took on a new role as coach of Team USA and led them to Olympic gold at the first time of asking.
This latest award comes just months after winning the Ballon d'Or as women's soccer coach of the year. It is also the second time Hayes has won FIFA's top award since the women's coach award was first introduced in 2016.
The USWNT boss last received the award in 2021, ahead of former Barcelona manager Lluis Cortes and England boss Sarina Wiegman. Hayes placed third a year ago in 2020 and was second to Wiegman in 2023.
Jonatan Giraldez, who now coaches the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, was runner-up to Hayes in this year's award after a quadruple-winning season with Barcelona – which included Champions League. Brazil manager Arthur Elias was ranked third after they won silver at the Olympics in the summer.
“It's been a great year on many levels, but my main emotion is gratitude,” Hayes said at the ceremony in Doha on Tuesday night. “I want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us, especially the players, coaches and staff from 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 enjoyed working with the players and I'm very excited about 2025 and executing our strategy of WNT. It will be an exciting time for players as we continue to build on what we have achieved in 2024.”
U.S. Soccer CEO and General Secretary JT Batson added, “We truly appreciate the joy and energy Emma has brought to the team and to U.S. Soccer. Emma's dedication to our players, staff and everyone who cares about soccer in the States United is inspiring and she is so deserving of it.”