Who is Emma Hayes? Her career, son and split living situation

England are back on the pitch tonight with hopes of a win to guarantee their place in the next stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. When they played their first match against Croatia, which ended as a 4-2 win, the half-time analysis sparked a flurry of comments online. Football manager and pundit Emma Hayes appeared by the side of a black board to give her thoughts on the game and many took to social media to ask who she was. Everything you need to know about Emma Hayes…

Emma Hayes’ career

Emma’s own footballing career was cut short aged 17 with an ankle injury, but her attention turned to coaching and she worked at Croydon and Crystal Palace to name a few. 

Emma was the manager of Chelsea’s women’s team from 2012 to 2024, and in that time she secured many trophies and titles. Off pitch she’s decorated too as she was awarded an MBE in 2016, followed by an OBE in 2022. At present, she is head coach for the US women’s national team. 

Who is Emma Hayes’ family?

The coach is notoriously private about her romantic life and no spouse has been confirmed. However, she does have one son called Harry, who is eight years old. 

Where does Emma Hayes live?

© Alamy Stock Photo

In 2021, she spoke to The Standard and revealed: “I was born and bred in Camden but now live up in Muswell Hill with my three-year-old bubba, Harry. It’s just the pair of us in a lovely little house, full of his toys and my tactics boards. Harry always says it’s his house, not mine. I’m just renting a room off him.”

In the same interview, Emma opened up about her London life, including her favourite places within the UK capital. Barrafina and Castle’s pie and mash in Camden were on her foodie hotspots list and she declares “The Good Mixer, The Hawley Arms or Oxford Arms” as great pubs “even though they all smelt of feet and farts”. 

While she lives in the UK, Emma often stays in the US for her role. She has not spoken publicly about the accommodation she uses while there. 

Emma’s viral moment 

© ITV

When England played their first World Cup game, it was the half-time analysis that dominated social media chatter, and that was thanks to pundit Emma and her surprising setup. Comments questioned why the pro was using an old-fashioned blackboard in an odd studio that appeared to look like a kitchen to chat through her opinion, rather than in a swish studio using high-tech graphics. 

One social media user penned: “Why the hell have they got Emma Hayes doing her analysis from a kitchen! It’s outrageous. It just needs a kettle and toaster in the background. Does nothing for the place of women in the game. Hayes is superb. Pioneer. Totally demeaning.” Another added: “Come on, it was hilarious, I thought it was a comedy sketch, or the dog had sat on the remote and switched the telly over.” A third wrote: “Chalkboard aside she talks more sense than the rest of them put together.”

Emma addresses criticism 

After the social media debates, Emma appeared to address the issue when punditing for a different match. When analysing the Brazil and Haiti game, she said: “Well, let’s focus on the first half in particular, I know that’s a challenge for some of us at home, but I’m going to encourage us to look at some of the things that are going on in the game.”

Later she said: “By the way, I know it’s late, but did you notice I changed Brazil from white to blue (counters), first half, second half?

“I’m just checking that we’ve got our full focus on the tactical board for everyone at home.”