Emma Hayes caps off triumphant year with first-ever Ballon d’Or award

Emma Hayes’ latest accolade comes with a bit of history.

The coach of the U.S. women’s national team won the inaugural Ballon d’Or for women’s coach of the year in recognition of her success with both the Americans and Chelsea, her former club team. The Ballon d’Or awards, given out by France Football magazine, have traditionally gone to players but were expanded this year to recognize coaches, too.

“I just want to say a big thank you to all the staff and players from both teams,” Hayes said in a statement from U.S. Soccer. “As we all know, football is a team game and I’m very grateful to have led some amazing teams this year, so this award is for everyone who has been a part of the U.S. team and Chelsea.”

Hayes led both Chelsea and the USWNT to major titles this summer, claiming a fifth consecutive Super League title with the Blues in May and the Olympic gold medal with the Americans at the Paris Games less than three months later. The USWNT went unbeaten in Paris, making Hayes the only coach besides Anson Dorrance to win every game in their first major tournament.

While the USWNT is one of the most successful teams in the game, their four World Cup titles second only to Brazil’s men, the version Hayes took over was badly in need of re-energizing. The U.S. women had made their earliest exit ever at a World Cup or Olympics in 2023, losing to Sweden in the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This after looking slow and overmatched on their way to the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.

And earlier this year, the USWNT suffered its first-ever loss on home soil to Mexico.

But Hayes rejuvenated the team in quick fashion. The USWNT scored a tournament-high 12 goals in Paris — the 10 goals by Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman outscored every other team — while conceding just two, none in the knockout rounds.

The USWNT beat Brazil 1-0 in the gold-medal game, with Swanson scoring her fourth goal of the tournament.

The Americans are now unbeaten in 12 games under Hayes after wins over Iceland on Thursday and Sunday.

‘Olympic gold is, I hope, the beginning of an amazing time together,’ Hayes told her USWNT players after learning of the award. ‘I hope we can create many more memories.’

Spain swept the rest of the Ballon d’Or awards, with Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona claiming her second consecutive award and Rodri becoming the first Manchester City player to win. Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year.

2024 Ballon d’Or award winners

Men’s Ballon d’Or — Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)

Women’s Ballon d’Or — Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)

Kopa Trophy (best U21 player) — Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)

Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) — Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)

Gerd Müller Trophy (best striker) — Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich) and Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid)

Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy – Emma Hayes (Chelsea and USA)

Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy — Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Women’s Club of the Year — Barcelona

Men’s Club of the Year — Real Madrid

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