Emma Hayes says she spoke to Jurgen Klopp after deleting her social media accounts as she criticised “unacceptable” levels of abuse managers face.
The Chelsea manager had been active on X and Instagram but took down both accounts in the week her side lost to Liverpool.
Hayes, who will depart Chelsea at the end of the season to take charge of the USWNT, warned against the rising levels of toxicity creeping into the women’s game.
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“I had a chat with Jurgen Klopp about it this week,” Hayes said when asked about deleting social media and the level of pressure her job entails.
“I think it’s ridiculous what everybody expects of a football manager. We’re human beings. We have lives.
“Everybody’s under pressure, everybody’s got to get headlines. Everybody’s got to grab content.
“For football managers we’re in an impossible position. Because every day we’re in a place where, no matter what we say, it will be turned into something that gets you guys (the media) paid and at the same time puts us in a position where we’re just pieces of meat.
“I won’t miss it, for sure. What I’ve learned is the volume of abuse you have to tolerate is unacceptable and the dangers of where the women’s game is going — and this by the way is how the players feel too — the volume of trolling and the volume of nastiness that is coming in our game.
“That’s why I say it’s getting like the men’s game. We might have to accept that but guess what will happen? There will be an even bigger distance between everything we do with you guys. For me, that’s the sad thing that’s leaving the game.”
Chelsea have taken full advantage of Manchester City's earlier defeat to Arsenal.
Their 8-0 win against Bristol City means they're three points behind the leaders, with a game in hand. pic.twitter.com/0ZfonWwav5
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 5, 2024
Chelsea were beaten 4-3 by Liverpool on Wednesday, a result which left Hayes publicly conceding the Women’s Super League title race was as good as over.
This followed a Continental Cup final defeat to Arsenal, where Hayes was criticised for a push on opposition manager Jonas Eidevall at full time, and FA Cup and Champions League semi-final exits to Manchester United and Barcelona. The Chelsea manager also faced scrutiny for her comments about player relationships — which she later said she “let herself down” over.
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However, Chelsea secured an 8-0 victory over Bristol City on Sunday in Hayes’ final home match after 12 years with the west London club. The win, coupled with league leaders Manchester City’s late 2-1 loss to Arsenal, moved the WSL champions three points behind Gareth Taylor’s side. Chelsea have a game in hand and now boast a marginally superior goal difference (+46 vs +45).
“Let me be clear, it’s not f****** over,” Hayes told the Kingsmeadow crowd on Sunday.
Chelsea return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on May 15 before the final day of the WSL season on May 18.
(Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
