Hayes reveals she spoke to Sir Alex after being confirmed as USA boss

Emma Hayes revealed Sir Alex Ferguson has given her advice after she was confirmed as the new United States boss.

Former Manchester United manager Ferguson called the outgoing Chelsea boss last week after it was announced she was leaving the club.

Hayes will finish the 2023-24 Women's Super League campaign with the Blues before she joins the USA women's squad two months before the Olympics in Paris.

She said: 'We had a chat last week, he rang me, but I was in the middle of talking to Poch (Mauricio Pochettino) so I was torn. Unfortunately I had to tell Poch to wait. There's not many people you tell Poch to wait for but I did say to him it was Sir Alex.

'He calls me from time to time so I wasn't surprised. Anything he says to me I always take with such pride. He is a legend of the game and someone whose opinion I value and he has a love of America.

'We talked a little bit about that, a little bit about legacy, a little bit about leaving at the top. So there were wise words from him. I'm sure it won't be the last phone call I get from him this season.'

Hayes, who got the Chelsea job in the summer of 2012, has led the club to six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups, a haul featuring two league and FA Cup doubles and one domestic treble, while they were Champions League runners-up in 2021.

She is a six-time WSL manager of the season and was named FIFA's women's manager of the year in 2021.