- Chelsea retained their WSL title in Hayes’ final match by thrashing Man United
- Hayes was due to share a drink with Ferguson but was too busy celebrating
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Emma Hayes says she missed a drink with Sir Alex Ferguson because she was celebrating Chelsea’s title victory too much after her team thrashed Manchester United 6-0 at Old Trafford.
Hayes’ side were crowned champions for a fifth successive season after a brace from Mayra Ramirez and goals from Sjoeke Nuske, Melanie Leupolz and Fran Kirby ensured their manager left on a high.
Ferguson, who regularly speaks with Hayes, was in the crowd at Old Trafford and had planned to have a chat with the 47-year-old, who will take up the manager’s job with the United States this summer.
But Hayes revealed she had missed out on her meeting due to Chelsea’s on-pitch celebrations.
‘I missed my drink with Sir Alex because I was celebrating too much!’ Hayes said.
‘He was waiting for me and I’m absolutely gutted but he just rang me before I came in here.
‘So, sorry, Sir Alex. I was really looking forward to that glass of red!’
Hayes admitted she could almost ‘not believe’ Chelsea had won the title, after the manager had conceded the league to rivals Manchester City after her side were beaten by Liverpool at the start of the month.
But Arsenal’s victory at the Joie Stadium four days later gave Chelsea a route back in and they did not need to be asked twice. An 8-0 victory over Bristol City and 1-0 win over Spurs meant they just had to match City’s result on the final day.
‘I’ve been in City’s position,’ Hayes said.
‘If we’d have been in City’s position had they lost to Liverpool, in the years gone by we definitely won that next game.
‘So forgive me for thinking that City should have won the title. I’m not doubting that I think the loss of Bunny Shaw was significant.
‘I think Man City have had a tremendous season. They really have. They pushed us all the way. But if you leave that door open for a team like Chelsea, I think the minute that door was left open was the minute everybody knew that we would walk through it.’