4 things we learned from Sonia Bompastor's first Chelsea interview

Sonia Bompastor has officially arrived at Chelsea, and her ambition to win silverware next season is certainly a reason to be excited.

The Blues bid farewell to history making manager Emma Hayes earlier this year, after 12 seasons in west London.

As she jetted off to lead the USWNT, Chelsea confirmed they'd replaced her with Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor in May, on a four-year deal.

Despite having led the French club to success during her tenure, with a Champions League win and three successive league titles, she had yet spoken out in detail about her aims at Chelsea.

This week, she sat down with the club for her official welcome interview, and shared her thoughts on her experience with the squad so far, and outlined what she wants to achieve during her time leading the helm.

1. Having a vision

Bompastor revealed how she believes having values and a vision are the recipe for success.

She explained that she'd made a start on building connections via video calls and phone conversations, but that she was now looking forward to strengthening them in person.

"I know the club already have their own values and that is something important for me to build on," she said.

"For me, respect is always one of them. It's not only saying we have to respectful, it's understanding what this word means to everyone. We have to use the same interpretation of the word together.

"Humility is also something really important, especially in high level competition."

2. Creating the right environment

Now that's touched down in the UK, Bompastor said she wants to prioritise creating an enjoyable environment for the players.

"Everyone has to be invested in this journey because when you are working as part of the staff, it is seven days a week and 24 hours a day almost," she explained.

"I just want to make sure that everyone who comes to this building every day enjoys their journey. We are working very hard to achieve our goals, but it's also about finding a good balance between working well together and enjoying being together.

"I told the staff last week that we have to realise being in this environment is something really important - but we also have to realise we have the privilege of having the chance to do our passion.

"I don't come in the building saying it's my job. I just feel like it's my passion and I have the chance every day to do the thing I like most in my life."

In an attempt to start creating a thriving atmosphere, Bompastor revealed that she'd organised a team building exercise with the squad.

3. Legacy building

Bompastor has always paid homage to the legacy that Hayes built during her time at Chelsea.

Hayes steered the Blues onto win a total of 16 trophies, including seven WSL titles, including five in a row.

When asked how she will build the reputation left by Hayes, Bompastor said: "I've been really impressed with all the work Emma did for such a long time.

"She started from the bottom and built the club up on her own. I say on her own and I say that knowing there were a lot of others behind the scenes, too - but, she was the leader. The true leader and I have so much respect for that.

"I will be careful building on this legacy because she left the club in such a good place. Now, I just want to make sure we go for the next step. I will be respectful while bringing my own identity and my own vision to the project.

"I just want to say thank you to Emma because she's been very supportive. We have talked to each other and she has been trying to help me as much as she can. I can feel she really loves the club and she wants to make sure the club stays in the right place."

4. A desire to win silverware

Sonia Bompastor is no stranger to winning trophies, and Chelsea fans will be pleased to hear that she wants more of them.

"The main expectation here is to win trophies," she said. "This is why are here.

"I also will make sure and will work very hard to make the team look good on the field. I want the fans when they come to watch to just enjoy the game. Enjoy the fact we are going to score a lot of goals - I hope so.

"We are working hard to do that. I want them anytime they come in the stadium, before or at the end of the game, to feel we are with them. I want the players to realise the fans are really important. I want to have this relationship with them."

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