Stress of Chelsea job made me unwell - Hayes

United States manager Emma Hayes says the stress of her previous job at Chelsea made her "unwell" towards the end of her reign.

Hayes spent 12 years in charge, winning seven Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, before moving to the USA in the summer.

She is back in London as the USA play England in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday, and says she is much happier now she has moved into international football.

The 48-year-old told a media conference on Monday: "I don't have to sacrifice the things that made me healthy. I didn't feel healthy at the end, I actually felt unwell at the end of my time at Chelsea.

"It wasn't pressure, it was the stress and toll it took on me and doing that during menopause was even harder.

"To get on top of all of those things, I've got my mojo back and my smile and enjoyment back which I didn't realise I had lost."

Hayes led Chelsea to five successive WSL titles before her departure at the end of the 2023-24 season, and her former Blues captain Millie Bright is among the England players.

The USA boss, who guided them to Olympic gold in the summer, said it would be strange facing players she has "gone to war with" as well as leading a team against her home country.

But she added that the occasion was strictly business.

"Of course I need to go through a weird moment when the national anthems are being played," she said. "I'll hum along to it being the English person I am, but also the same for the US one because I love it - I love both anthems.

"Beyond that weird moment and coming up against players I've gone to war with, it's business come kick-off. I hope it's an entertaining game and a sellout."

Hayes also said she is looking forward to testing herself against England manager Sarina Wiegman for the first time.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Sarina. I love Sarina," she told BBC Sport's Jo Currie.

“We had a great relationship when I was at Chelsea. She's someone I really look up to, and someone who's done an amazing job for football in this country and for the Lionesses. So I look forward to giving her a hug on Saturday and saying 'hi'."

Hayes also spoke in support of another of her former Chelsea players, Sam Kerr, who recently announced she is expecting her first child with her partner, West Ham and USA midfielder Kristie Mewis.

Kerr and Mewis were abused on social media following their announcement, with Chelsea deleting a congratulatory post because of homophobic comments.

"I think Sam's going to be an amazing mum," said Hayes. “When Harry [Hayes' son] used to come to the training ground, he always gravitated towards Sam with her natural warmth.

"It's not shocking to hear the abuse they suffered, but I know she's tough enough to move past that and she's not someone who expects an easy ride with anything. I just think, for those of us in the women's game, we've just come to expect that.

"It doesn't make it right, and it is unacceptable, but one where I know Sam will manage that and put all her energy into making sure her and Kristie hopefully go through the pregnancy with no bother and bring their baby into the world."