da leao： Emma Hayes says she needed the 'new adventure' with the United States women's national team more than she realised after 12 years at Chelsea.

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Hayes to make debut as USWNT coach this weekLeft Chelsea after 12 years in charge this monthAdmits she needed switch more than she 'realised'WHAT HAPPENED?

Hayes went out on a high with the Blues after guiding the team to a fifth successive Women's Super League title earlier this month. It was the 16th trophy of her time in charge of the club and saw an incredible tenure close in a positive way as she prepared to leave and take charge of the USWNT.

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In her press conference after the title-clinching 6-0 win over Manchester United, Hayes admitted she was exhausted from the demands of the day-to-day role at Chelsea and was ready to be reinvigorated by the challenge in the U.S., something she has reiterated since arriving in the country.

WHAT HAYES SAID

Speaking to , Hayes said: "It's time for this new adventure and time to build a new relationship with U.S. Soccer and with the players here. I definitely felt the last six months. I know I was probably miserable at times but when, for 12 years, you've had to, I don't know, be a spokesperson for the sport, drive so many standards internally, I think I needed this more than I realised."

Asked if it is a full circle moment to come back to the U.S., where she was sacked as manager of the Chicago Red Stars back in 2010 in an unsuccessful start to her time at the top of the women's game, Hayes hoped she was bringing "a better version" of herself back to the country. "I do feel like I'm coming back a more well rounded, more experienced version of myself," she said. "I'm looking forward to sharing that. But it's in a place that I know, it is in a culture I know. I spent 10 years of my life here. This is a second home to me, so I just can't wait. I hope to do the team proud. I hope to do the country proud."

DID YOU KNOW?

Hayes arrives as the USWNT is gearing up for the Olympics, a tournament at which it will hope to reassert itself in the sport after a dreadful Women's World Cup campaign last summer.