Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes has savagely shut down all rumours linking her to the AFC Wimbledon job and called the reports an “insult” to women’s football.
During a press conference for her current role as Chelsea Women manager Hayes was asked could Wimbledon afford her to which she replied: “Absolutely not.”
Current WSL leaders Chelsea – who won the 2019/20 title on a points-per-game basis after the season ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic – recently set a new league record after going 32 games unbeaten following their 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
Chelsea Women have added to the record and now hold a record of 33 games without a defeat following their 4-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
When asked about the Wimbledon job which became available when the Sky Bet League One side parted company with manager Glyn Hodges and his assistant Nick Daws by mutual consent Hayes told the press: “Women’s football is something to celebrate, and the quality and the achievement of all the females I represent… it’s an insult to them that we talk about women’s football being a step down, with the dedication and the commitment and the quality they have,
“Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder, Beth England, Magda Eriksson, Millie Bright, Maren Mjelde – do you want me to keep going? These are world-class players, and women’s football is not a step down from anything.”
Hayes was then asked if Wimbledon could afford her to which Hayes bluntly replied: “Absolutely not.
“First of all, I am the manager of Chelsea. I manage and represent elite, world-class players and this for me is an amazing job. I’ve spent the last nine years cultivating all my energy into it.
“I’m not looking for another job. I’m blessed with working with wonderful humans day in day out, and I think it’s important for me to say this: when the football world is ready to adhere to the diversity codes, so that BAME communities plus women get the opportunities in men’s football, I will see that as a step forward.
“This is not a conversation about Emma Hayes and AFC Wimbledon. We should be having larger conversations about creating opportunities across a diverse spectrum so that opportunities in the men’s game are not limited to those in privileged positions.
“I don’t know why anyone would think women’s football is a step down [in comparison to men]. The football world needs to wake up. While the game is played by a different gender, it’s exactly the same sport.”