United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has claimed she will “hum both anthems” when she returns to Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Hayes, 48, became USWNT head coach in May after leaving English club Chelsea, and faces an awkward situation ahead of England’s exhibition game against the USA. The Lionesses host the USWNT in London and, due to being English but representing the States, Hayes will combat the situation by humming both anthems.

“Yes, I’ll go through a weird moment with the national anthem,” Hayes said when asked about the conundrum in a press conference on Tuesday. “Something I’ll hum along to as I always have done being the English person that I am, but I’ll also do the same for the American national anthem, because I love both anthems.”

Hayes has already enjoyed success with the USWNT after winning gold at the Olympic Games this summer, and was a serial winner during her time with Women’s Super League giants Chelsea. However, Hayes is loving her time with the USWNT and believes that she’s happier than ever.

“I was a little bit afraid of how this new rhythm was going to affect me,” Hayes said, after switching to an international role for the first time. “I’m so used to getting in the car and driving to the training ground six or seven days a week.

“I worried about that for about four seconds. And then I said: ‘OK, what’s the benefits?’ I get to get up and breathe, not rush. I get to take Harry [her son] to school. I get to go to the gym. I get to create my schedule in and around those things.

“I don’t sacrifice the things that make me feel healthy. I definitely didn’t feel healthy at the end. I actually felt quite unwell at the end of my time at Chelsea.

Hayes was happy to be home in London but has no regrets about moving to the U.S.

Hayes was happy to be home in London but has no regrets about moving to the U.S. ( 

Image:

2024 Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF)

“Doing all those things during menopause was even harder. So, to get on top of them all, I feel like I’ve got my mojo, my smile and joy back. I didn’t realize how much I’d lost all that. To do that means that I’m loving football more than ever, and I’m clear about all the things that I want to do.”

Despite being from London, Hayes made her career in the United States after landing her first senior coaching role with the Long Island Lady Riders in 2002. Hayes then managed the Iona Gaels before returning to London to become an assistant for Arsenal women.

Hayes briefly returned to the U.S. to coach the Chicago Red Stars, but it was during her 12-year stint between 2012 and 2024 with Chelsea that made her a household name. Hayes has altered her lifestyle after agreeing to coach the USWNT, and is happier for it.