Chelsea Women confirm Emma Hayes replacement as new manager

Chelsea Women have confirmed the appointment of Sonia Bompastor as the successor to departing manager Emma Hayes.

43-year-old Bompastor has signed a four-year contract in west London after spending three seasons in charge of French side Lyon, where she won three Division 1 Feminine titles in a row alongside the Women's Champions League in 2021/22.

They reached the final of the European tournament this season but were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona on Saturday.

Bompastor said: "I am incredibly grateful to join Chelsea Football Club as the head coach of the women's team. It is an institution in English football. I will give my all to this new project to meet the ambitions of the club, the staff and the players.

"I hope to live up to Emma's legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin."

General manager Paul Green added: "The sporting directors and I conducted a thorough and considered recruitment process to identify Emma's successor. Sonia's vision, coaching philosophy and winning mentality made her the outstanding candidate.

"She is a world-class coach with a proven track record of success on the biggest stages that will instantly command respect from the dressing room."

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