Elusive trophy: Emma Hayes has won everything but the Champions League as Chelsea Women coach
(Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Emma Hayes insists she will not be satisfied until she has guided Chelsea to Champions League glory.
Hayes has enjoyed incredible domestic success with Chelsea, leading them to five Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.
The Champions League, however, has remained out of Hayes’ grasp and she is determined to get her hands on it.
Chelsea have made a good start to this year’s competition and can qualify for the quarter-finals if they win away at Real Madrid tonight.
“The Champions League is the goal every year,” said Hayes. “What’s different is tonight we’re in a position to qualify.
“We weren’t this time last year. Our objectives are always to win every trophy we compete for and this year is no different.
“It is a tough group, so for us just to win [is the aim] and put ourselves in the best position possible.”
Chelsea endured a painful group-stage exit last year, losing 4-0 in their final match to Wolfsburg when they had started the night top.
Hayes explained afterwards how anxiety over a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad had disrupted her players. The Blues want to put that behind them now and qualify early for the quarter-finals.
“For us it would be really significant,” said Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert. “Given the disappointment last year, we’re not looking ahead about how far we are going to get in the competition. First and foremost, the most important thing is to qualify.”
