September 8th 2024.
Emma Hayes made a bold decision earlier this year when she left her position as manager of Chelsea Football Club to take over as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team. Despite her immense success with Chelsea, Hayes felt that it was time for a new challenge and an opportunity to make a difference on a global scale.
However, Hayes didn't make the move without addressing an important issue in the world of football - the gender pay gap for managers. She openly spoke about how she wasn't able to take a sabbatical year like her male counterparts, such as Jurgen Klopp, due to financial constraints. Despite being the highest-paid female head coach in the world, with a salary of $2 million, Hayes still faced a significant pay gap compared to top male managers.
But Hayes didn't let this stop her from pursuing her dream job. She took on the role as manager of the USWNT and recently led them to a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. This accomplishment only solidified her position as one of the most successful and respected managers in women's football.
During her 12 years at Chelsea, Hayes won a total of 12 trophies, including seven Women's Super League titles and five Women's FA Cup trophies. She now has the top job in women's football, managing the record-breaking USWNT, who have won four World Cup titles.
Despite her impressive resume, Hayes' yearly salary of £1.6 million is still significantly lower than top male managers like Klopp, who reportedly earned around £15 million a year at Liverpool. While Klopp is currently enjoying a sabbatical year after leaving Liverpool, Hayes didn't have the luxury to do the same due to the gender pay gap.
But Hayes doesn't let this discourage her. She remains focused on her job and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the women's game. She may have wanted to take a break after her long stint with Chelsea, but she knows that she has to pay the bills and continue to chase her lifelong dream. As she stated in an interview with talkSPORT, "I don't get paid what Jurgen Klopp gets paid for me to take a sabbatical year!"
Despite rumors linking him to the England manager's job, Klopp has made it clear that he is currently not considering any new positions. He is taking a well-deserved break from football after his time at Liverpool, where he had tremendous success, winning the Premier League and Champions League titles. But like Hayes, he also faced scrutiny over the gender pay gap, with his salary being significantly higher than his female counterparts.
In the world of football, there is still a long way to go in terms of gender equality, particularly in terms of pay. But courageous women like Emma Hayes continue to break barriers and pave the way for future generations. And while she may not have been able to take a sabbatical year like Klopp, she remains focused on her passion for the beautiful game and the opportunity to continue making history.
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