Emma Hayes OBE is the 2025 recipient of the PFA Merit Award, honouring her contributions to women’s football over the course of an illustrious career in England.
Hayes is rightly hailed as one of football’s most influential leaders; a serial winner whose 12-year tenure with Chelsea has left an indelible mark on the WSL and the women’s game globally.
As Blues manager, she led the club to a record-breaking seven Women’s Super League titles – including five in succession – five FA Cups, and two League Cups. She is also a two-time Best FIFA Football Coach winner, and a six-time winner of WSL Manager of the Season.
Beyond on-pitch success, it is Hayes’ approach to leadership and relentless innovation that has paved the way for progress in women’s sport.
Recognising the opportunity for a new football blueprint, Hayes is commended for having built environments uniquely centred on female athletes at Chelsea FC. An early advocate for greater research into women’s health, Hayes championed awareness of menstrual cycles and pelvic floor health, and issues like ACL injury which have disproportionately impacted female players.
Hayes undoubtedly helped usher in a wave of genuine transformation in the women’s game, benefiting current and future generations of female athletes.
She has set the standard in women’s football – on and off the pitch – and her legacy continues now with the historic US Women’s National Team in the country where her coaching career began over two decades ago.
Congratulations to Emma who joins Sir Gareth Southgate as a deserving recipient of this year’s PFA Merit Award.
.jpg)
