"Emma Hayes is one of the greatest managers in the women's game," smiles Carla Ward while reminiscing about her time with the US during this year's Olympic Games.
The former Aston Villa boss hit headlines just days before the tournament was set to begin in Paris, with claims that she'd joined the coaching staff of the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT), who were now under the stewardship of close friend Emma Hayes.
"No one actually asked me," Ward told 90min. "It was funny because there were a lot of reports out there, and one night I laughed because someone said I was there to be Emma's assistant which wasn't true. My official role was a scout, but slightly adapted because I was within the group."
This summer turned into one that only dreams are made for the ex-Chelsea manager. After two months in the position, Hayes managed to lead the national team to their fifth Olympic gold medal, defeating Brazil 1-0 at Parc des Princes.
However, the win represented more than just another world championship title. The USWNT were not in their finest shape when Hayes took over the reigns, after crashing out of the 2023 Women's World Cup, losing to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16. Therefore, the win not only highlighted that the US had returned to their winning ways, but that they were being guided by one of the best managers in the women's game.
Ward reveals she knew that Hayes was going to come out on top at the Olympics, within "days of being there". She explains: "I had absolutely zero doubt that Emma was going to go and win gold. She is arguably one of the best managers in the women's game. One of the things I said to her consistently was that she has an air of calm and a belief that makes everyone else feel the same way.
"She said to me, 'It's taken me 25 years to get here'. She's knowledgable, and she's got the reputation to back it up. The way she gets the group buy-in, Emma speaks and everyone else listens. There was a belief and an energy that the USA were going to win. They've maybe had that in the past, but they haven't really executed that, or maybe had a leader than can make them believe that they can execute it. Emma has all of that. I don't think there was ever a moment that I questioned whether it was going to be one for the history book."
Motherhood in coaching
Ward created history for Villa during her three seasons in charge, securing their best-ever Women's Super League (WSL) finish in fifth position during in the 2022/23 campaign and also reached the semi-final of the FA Cup that season.
News of her exit in May came as a surprise, but it was clear that the 40-year-old was struggling to prioritise "other important things" such as her daughter and family, while having a "full-throttle job", and was desperate for a much-needed break.
"I've reflected on that time with great pride," Ward tells 90min. "I probably didn't realise how exhausted I was from it all and trying to be a single mum, whilst doing that job was near on impossible.
"But in terms of the job that I did there [at Villa], I'm proud from start to finish. From me going in and what we achieved both on and off the pitch and leaving the club in a very good position. It's important that I can look back and know that I've impacted the club, players and the staff."
Hayes is back in London for her first homecoming since moving across the pond, and spoke openly this week about the advantages that international coaching offers, especially in allowing her to spend more time with her son.
Ward says she couldn't agree more, and described the schedule as "perfect". She says: "When you are in the international set-up you've almost got everything exactly like you would have every day in a club, but it's in short bursts, and then you get to breathe again."
The ex-manager loved her taste of an international camp so much during the Olympics that she reveals to 90min that she'd "love to go into international coaching".
"If a coaching job came up tomorrow that's for international, or the WSL, then I'm taking the international one all day long," she laughed
Growing the women's game
Despite not being directly involved in the WSL anymore, Ward has remained an advocate for the women's game, helping to spearhead projects that create opportunities for females working in football.
"I'm working on something at the minute," she reveals. "I can't say too much about it, but it's certainly geared towards how we can get more females within different roles. It's something I feel strongly about and I know that Emma does too.
"I'm not just talking about coaching, it's about different roles within the game. Without visibility and opportunity and the level of coaching to get these people to that, how is anyone ever going to get those opportunities?"
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