Chelsea have identified Lyon‘s Sonia Bompastor as the preferred candidate to replace the outgoing Emma Hayes, sources have told ESPN.
Bompastor is under contract with the French champions until 2025 so Chelsea would have to pay a sizeable compensation fee to release her from her contract if terms are agreed.
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But she is top of Chelsea’s wanted list as they look to life after Hayes, who will leave her post in charge of the club at the end of the season to take up the U.S. Women’s National Team head coach position.
Hayes leaves big shoes to fill at Chelsea. She has transformed the side, steering them to six Women Super League titles since she took charge in 2012, alongside winning five FA Cups.