Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States women's national team, emphasized the lack of readiness in men's soccer for female managers during a BBC interview. Despite her successful record, including multiple Women's Super League titles and an Olympic gold medal, she noted that no woman has been permanently appointed to lead a men's team in the top five tiers of English football, with only one temporary appointment to date. Hayes expressed frustration over the disparity, stating, "you can find a female pilot, a female doctor, a female lawyer, a female banker, but you can't find a female coach working in the men's game, leading men." She suggested that for real change to occur, more team owners need to be willing to consider female candidates. Hayes remains hopeful that players would be receptive to being coached by women if they are qualified. Her observations come amid her nomination for the women’s Ballon d'Or coach of the year, contrasting sharply with the absence of female nominees in the men's category.