Chelsea targeting Emma Hayes touchline return after international break
By Ali Rampling
Chelsea general manager Paul Green has admitted the team are 'hopefully' going to see Emma Hayes return to the touchline for their next WSL fixture against Tottenham in two weeks time.
Hayes announced at the beginning of October that she would be stepping back from football for an unspecified period of time to recover from an emergency hysterectomy following her ongoing battle with endometriosis.
Green, along with assistant coach Denise Reddy, have taken charge of first team duties during Hayes' absence - although Hayes has remained involved from home, being connected to the bench on match days, and watching from the Kingsmeadow directors box during Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa last Sunday.
"To come through [Emma's absence] unscathed is a real testament to everyone involved, players and staff," Green told Sky Sports. "Now we go into the international break, hopefully going to welcome Emma Hayes back to the touchline for our next game if everything goes well against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge."
Chelsea take on Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 20 November - their first game back after November's international break. The Blues then host Real Madrid in the Champions League three days later.
They've enjoyed a 100% record in all competitions under the stewardship of Green and Reddy, winning six from six. A 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday evening was enough to end the Red Devils' perfect start to the WSL season.
"You thought: 'yeah, we're going to have to be at our best and find a way to win' and I think we did that," Green added. "I thought we just did enough and showed why we're champions of England.
"We're just delighted and really congratulating everyone on a really good piece of work."