The current landscape
When the USWNT faces off against Spain, it’s a moment of major representation: Emma Hayes and Sonia Bermúdez are running the show for the top two ranked teams in the world. But for Hayes, this shouldn't feel like a rare exception—it should be the standard.
Hayes is keeping it 100 regarding the hurdles women face in the sport. Real talk: she noted that it’s highkey difficult for women to even land an interview, let alone secure and keep a head coaching job. She pointed out that the bar is set way higher for women, who rarely get second chances compared to their male counterparts.
The structural issue
It’s giving a double standard. While some male coaches have landed big roles in the NWSL based on connections or playing experience without prior experience coaching women, the path for female coaches remains blocked. Currently, 11 of the 16 NWSL teams are led by men.
Hayes is pushing for more than just talk; she wants governing bodies to step up. While she supports the current mandatory inclusion of at least one female technical staffer, she says we need to go further. She’s advocating for structural mandates to get more women in head coach positions for national teams globally.
Why it matters
As the game continues to grow, we need to make sure the next generation has a clear path to leadership. Hayes is the ultimate main character in this movement, reminding everyone that if the sport really wants to thrive, it needs to invest in female leadership as much as it invests in the players on the pitch.
