Jonas Eidevall is 'very disappointed' that USWNT boss Emma Hayes hasn't reached out since making comments
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Hayes called Eidevall out for 'male aggression' last yearFormer Arsenal boss says he was 'very disappointed'Also unsatisfied by lack of contact from USWNT boss sinceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Eidevall and Hayes had many managerial battles during their time with Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively, but none more memorable than the League Cup final in March 2024. Though the Gunners emerged 1-0 thanks to Stina Blackstenius' extra-time goal, the game sticks in the mind more because of Frida Maanum's worrying collapse and, after full-time, Hayes seeming to shove Eidevall.
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The then-Chelsea manager was asked about Eidevall in her post-match press conference and it was there that she said things that the former Arsenal boss has now spoken out about.
“Listen, I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do. I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, I’m really not, and fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed and I told Jonas that," Hayes said, referring to behaviour from Eidevall towards Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert, as she looked to take a throw-in late on.
"I don’t think it’s okay to behave like that. He got a yellow card, and he should have probably been sent off. I’m all for competing to win. I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here. I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable."
WHAT EIDEVALL SAID
Following Eidevall's appointment as head coach of the San Diego Wave in the NWSL, the Swede has spoken candidly about his relationship with Hayes in a long interview with . "Maybe we didn't talk much to each other, but we talked in a good way, about league developments and players. But after the League Cup final, we haven't had any relationship at all," he said.
"The reaction after the game when she gives me a little push, that was for me a non-event. I can live with that. I understand those who say that if it had been the other way round, what would have happened to me? But that is so far from my picture of reality, I would never have done that. So I put that aside. However, the comments after the match, when the adrenaline has subsided, I was very disappointed. Very disappointed. And I'm also very disappointed that she hasn't been able to send a message or make a phone call and say that it was wrong. We can go from having a good relationship to having no relationship. I'm not going to be the one to reach out either because I don't think I've done anything wrong or crazy in the situation."
Asked why he believes Hayes was so 'triggered' after that particular match, Eidevall responded: "No idea actually. I think there's something in the fact that I'm the only one who has won many matches against her Chelsea. I don't think any manager has done that, so maybe that's why. Then football is a lot of emotions, and I realise it was a match with emotions from all sides. Besides the fact that the game went to overtime, we had the worries about Frida Maanum, a game to be played… There was a lot going on."
DID YOU KNOW?
Hayes and Eidevall should have had contact since then because one of the USWNT's top players, full-back Emily Fox, was signed in January 2024 by Arsenal, the club Eidevall left in October. However, he says the two didn't even talk about that. "She is the only manager who hasn't asked for a national team player since she took over the U.S," Eidevall revealed. "It's always been an assistant or something like that."
