BREAKING: Chelsea begin search for a new manager

Chelsea are set to begin their search for a new manager as Emma Hayes will leave the club at the end of the season

Chelsea have announced that Emma Hayes will leave her post as women's head coach at the end of the current WSL campaign. The 47-year-old has managed the club for 11 years so far, winning 15 trophies in that time along with a whole host of individual honours too.

The most recent was another historic double with the Blues that saw them win both the league and the FA Cup come the end of the season. The statement from Chelsea on Saturday will no doubt send shockwaves for an ever-present force, with the hunt beginning for a replacement.

A statement reads: "Chelsea FC can today confirm that highly decorated Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes OBE will depart the club at the end of the season to pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football." Which suggests that there is another role open elsewhere for Hayes.

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: "Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football. Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever. Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge.

"We are pleased that she will remain with the club for the remainder of the season to give us the time to identify her successor. There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and to give her the farewell she deserves, but for now, as she always has been, Emma will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea."