Emma Hayes had the proper send-off after winning her seventh WSL title in her final match as Chelsea boss.
The Blues knew that to be able to beat Manchester City to the title they’d should no less than match City’s result against Aston Villa.
Chelsea did that and more by earning a surprising 6-0 win against Man United at Old Trafford, with Man City ending second on goal difference despite a 2-1 win.
It was also a memorable afternoon for Chelsea’s record goalscorer Fran Kirby who grabbed their sixth in her last-ever appearance for the club.
For Hayes it was the proper place to cap off her Chelsea profession, with Sir Alex Ferguson among the many spectators watching on.
Hayes announced in November that she would go away the west London side after a hugely successful 12 years with the club.
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The 47-year-old will take charge of the US Women’s National Team upon the top of the WSL season, meaning that their title win meant much more to the legendary manager.
It was also Chelsea’s fifth-consecutive league title success under Hayes.
Hayes has also won five Women’s FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and a Women’s Community Shield.
She has also been awarded an OBE and was inducted into the Women’s Super League hall of fame in 2021.
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Chatting with talkSPORT after the full-time whistle, Hayes reflected on what was an emphatic approach to call time on her stunning Chelsea tenure.
“What a sensational performance from the team away from home on the Theatre of Dreams, I could not consider a more fitting finale for our last game.”
January signing Mayra Ramirez faced a spell out injured prior to the match but scored two goals in a surprising performance, with Hayes readily available to laud her.
“It just shows you ways much we have missed her. I do not think people realise we have been without some huge leaders, strikers all season, centre-backs all season.
“Everybody has done tremendously well to get us so far however it was great to have Mayra back today because she has been an enormous miss.”
Speaking on her successor, who’s yet to be confirmed, Hayes added: “What an enormous privilege it’s to pass the baton to whoever that’s. A beautiful team and I wish all of them the very best with their Chelsea journey.”
