Sonia Bompastor has been appointed as the new head coach of Chelsea Women, succeeding Emma Hayes, who departed to become head coach of the US women's national team. Bompastor, who previously managed Lyon, signed a four-year contract and will officially start on July 1, 2024.
Bompastor's appointment comes after leading Lyon to the Champions League final, where they were defeated 2-0 by Barcelona. Under her tenure at Lyon, she secured three consecutive league titles and the 2022 Champions League. As a player, she won multiple titles and made 156 appearances for the French national team.
Chelsea announced that the women's team will become a standalone entity, with the club seeking to attract investment specifically for women's football. The move aims to allocate dedicated resources and management to the women's team, enhancing its growth and success independently from the men's team.