USWNT Picks Emma Hayes as New Head Coach, Making Her World's Highest-Paid Female Coach

She replaces Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down as the coach of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in August

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team has found a new coach!

In a news release on Tuesday, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced that Emma Hayes has been appointed the USWNT's head coach. The role had previously been filled by Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down after the team had an early exit from the Women's World Cup in August.

Related: USWNT Coach Vlatko Andonovski Resigns After Early World Cup Exit: 'It's Been the Honor of My Life'

Twila Kilgore served as the team's interim head coach during the transitional period. The U.S. Soccer Federation said Kilgore will maintain the title while Hayes finishes the 2023-24 Women's Super League season with Chelsea FC Women, which she has been leading for the last 11 seasons. Kilgore will then join Hayes' staff as an assistant coach.

According to U.S. Soccer, Hayes "will become the highest-paid women's soccer coach in the world" after she officially joins the organization two months before the start of the 2024 Olympics. The federation reached an equal pay deal with female players in May 2022.

While financial details about her contract were not disclosed, sources told Yahoo Sports that Hayes's salary will "come close to matching the roughly $1.6 million that [U.S. Men's National Soccer Team coach Gregg Berhalter] now makes."

In a statement shared on the release, Hayes said her new role is a "huge honor."

Related: USWNT Out of the World Cup in First Round After Losing on Penalties to Sweden

"The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels," Hayes' statement added.

Hayes' career accomplishments include six Women’s Super League titles, one WSL Spring Series title, five Women’s FA Cups, and two FA Women’s League Cups, according to the release.

The U.S. Soccer Federation recognized some of her milestones in an Instagram post. Hayes is a "proven winner," the federation said, adding that she has "one of the most distinguished managerial careers in club soccer is headed to the #USWNT touchline. 🇺🇸."

The decision to appoint Hayes as head coach was finalized by U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker.

The release explained that candidates went through an "intense and thorough interview process" that included "psychometrics and abstract reasoning tests" and "in-depth discussions of strategy."

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Hayes' "passion for the game, her coaching acumen, her ability to galvanize players and staff, her dedication to continue to evolve as a coach, and her qualities as a person" that made her stand out, Crocker said in a statement.

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