CHICAGO (Oct. 28, 2024) – Emma Hayes has picked up her first world honor as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, winning the Ballon d’Or as the Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
France Football, the top soccer magazine in France and one of the most reputable in Europe, has been awarding the Ballon d’Or to men’s players since 1956 and to women’s players since 2018, but this is the first year it has given out awards to coaches of men’s and women’s soccer.
One of Hayes’ fellow nominees was Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of the England Women’s National Team, with whom Hayes will share a sideline on Nov. 30 when the USA and the Lionesses meet at Wembley Stadium in London.
Five U.S. Women’s National Team players were named to the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or following the team’s success at the 2024 Olympics. Sopha Smith finished fourth in the voting, Lindsey Horan was fifth, Mallory Swanson finished seventh and Trinity Rodman was ninth. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher finished 17th in the final voting.
“It’s an absolute honor to be recognized for the achievements with both the U.S. Women’s National Team and Chelsea,” said Hayes. “I just want to say a big thank you to all the staff and players from both teams and I have some special praise for the other nominees. They are exceptional coaches and I’m proud to be in the same company as them. As we all know, football is a team game and I’m very grateful to have led some amazing teams this year, so this award is for everyone who has been a part of the U.S. team and Chelsea.”
Few coaches have been as deserving of a coach of the year award as Hayes, who took over the U.S. Women’s National Team in May of 2024 after leading Chelsea FC to the Women’s Super League title in England and then started her new job just days after lifting that trophy. Hayes coached just two USWNT matches before selecting the 2024 Olympic Team, and then two more matches before the team left for France, a 1-0 win over Mexico and a 0-0 tie with Costa Rica.
Then, the USA embarked on a remarkable and inspirational run to Olympic gold, winning all six games including all three knockout games by 1-0 scores. The USA beat Germany twice in the tournament, won the quarterfinal and the semifinal in overtime, and after the tournament, the U.S. Women returned to the #1 spot in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
The USA’s gold medal victory on Aug. 10, a 1-0 triumph over Brazil on a goal from Mallory Swanson, was just the 10th for Hayes on the U.S. bench, marking the fewest matches before winning a World Cup or Olympics by any head coach in women’s soccer history. Hayes currently has a record of 11W-0L-1D as head coach of the USWNT.
Hayes joined Anson Dorrance as the only head coaches in USWNT history to win every match in their first major tournament, with Dorrance winning all six games at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She also becomes the fourth head coach in USWNT history to win their first major competition, joining Dorrance (1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup), Pia Sundhage (2008 Olympics) and Jill Ellis (2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup).
Hayes was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach in 2021 and will likely be one of the favorites for this year’s award as well. She finished third in the voting for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach in 2020 and second in 2023.