Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Sonia Bompastor as their new manager following the departure of Emma Hayes.
The Women’s Super League champions said Bompastor will join them from Lyon on a four-year contract, beginning her role on July 1.
Bompastor played for France and was capped 156 times before she hung up her boots in 2013. Later, she took up a coaching role in Lyon’s academy and became the head coach in April 2021.
The Frenchwoman led Lyon to a league and European double during her first full season in charge in 2021-22, becoming the first person to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League as both a player and a head coach.
Her last match with Lyon was this season’s Women’s Champions League final, which they lost 2-0 to Barcelona.
“I am incredibly grateful to join Chelsea Football Club as the head coach of the women’s team,” Bompastor said in a club statement released on Wednesday.
“It is an institution in English football. I will give my all to this new project to meet the ambitions of the club, the staff and the players.”
Bompastor will replace Hayes at Chelsea after the Englishwoman departed the Blues to become the coach of the U.S. women’s national team. Under Hayes, Chelsea won the WSL title seven times, including the 2023-24 title which they won on the final day.
“I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin,” Bompastor added.
Chelsea’s general manager, Paul Green, described their new manager as a “world-class coach”.
“The sporting directors and I conducted a thorough and considered recruitment process to identify Emma’s successor. Sonia’s vision, coaching philosophy and winning mentality made her the outstanding candidate,” Green said.
“She is a world-class coach with a proven track record of success on the biggest stages that will instantly command respect from the dressing room.”
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, said Bompastor is “the ideal candidate” to build on Hayes’ legacy.
“She brings a wealth of experience from managing at the highest levels and winning trophies as a player and a coach,” they said about Bompastor who led Lyon to three league titles.
“Her ethos and values align with Chelsea Football Club. We are all looking forward to having her on board.”
Chelsea’s Long-Term Plan
While announcing the appointment of Bompastor, Chelsea also released their long-term strategic plans to accelerate the growth of the women’s team.
“In advance of next season, Chelsea Women will be repositioned so that it sits alongside, rather than beneath, the men’s team in a move that heralds a new era for the club,” the club said.
“Chelsea Women will therefore have dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership, which will be focussed solely on the growth and success of the women’s team.
“This new approach will enable Chelsea Women to harness the full potential of the opportunity for women’s football, amplifying our commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch.”
The statement added that this move would attract new investment for the women’s team.
