Good news: Chelsea set to announce 43-years-old Italian coach as new head coach
According to sources, Chelsea Women will soon announce Sonia Bompastor as their new head coach, taking Emma Hayes’ post.
Despite leading Chelsea to further Women’s Super League (WSL) success this season, Hayes—one of the top women’s football managers—has since left west London.
She left to become the manager of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), which is perhaps the most important managerial position in women’s football due to its tremendous success in the international arena, having won four World Cups.
According to the New York Times, Chelsea has already identified Hayes’ replacement and plans to sign Bompastor from Olympique Lyonnais Feminin.
The Frenchwoman guided Lyon to glory in the Women’s Champions League in 2022 and has helped deliver three French top-flight titles.
Bompastor could add a second Women’s Champions League trophy to her CV on Saturday when her Lyon side face Barcelona in the 2024 final.
An official announcement will likely come after the Women’s Champions League final and Bompastor is set to bring her assistant Camille Abily with her to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the men’s team are also searching for a new head coach after Chelsea surprisingly parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been strongly linked with the job at Stamford Bridge and he is thought to be the current leading candidate.
The Northern Irishman is reportedly keen on the role and Chelsea are confident of a ‘swift’ process, believing they have the upper hand over Manchester United.
Chelsea have also sounded out Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as an alternative option to McKenna.
Maresca guided Leicester to the Championship title this term while McKenna’s Ipswich were promoted in second, much to the delight of superfan Ed Sheeran.
The final team promoted to the top-flight will be decided on Saturday when Leeds United play Southampton in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.