Emma Hayes: ‘I’ve got energy again, excitement, a chance to build something’

Coach on the road to winning Olympic gold with the US, why her final months at Chelsea were so tough and immersing herself in politics “Was there a moment that I knew we were going to win gold? Probably the toe save,” says Emma Hayes, after a pause to think. “After the toe save I was like: ‘Oh, your name’s on it. Your name’s on it.’” That “toe save” came in the 119th minute of the United States’ Olympic semi-final against Germany, the goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher leaping and flicking away Laura Freigang’s point-blank header to preserve their lead. Four days later, Mallory Swanson’s 57th-minute strike earned the US gold against Brazil, a staggering 72 days after Hayes oversaw her first practice.