• A lot can change in three years – Wiegman and Hayes have their work cut out
  • With Wiegman having extended her contract, they could be on a collision course
  • Fair play to Reading fans. I wouldn’t normally say this about a pitch invasion, but sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in – It’s All Kicking Off 

England and the United States are the two powerhouses of women’s football. Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes are the game’s best managers. So, with three years to go until the next World Cup, it feels as if the pair are on a collision course to go head-to-head for glory.

That will be the narrative on these shores and across the pond – though there are plenty of other nations who will be in the mix come 2027.

A lot can change in three years. The US are currently going through a transition period. Hayes must find a way to blood the talented young players coming through while managing the exits of the more experienced stars who are nearing the end of their careers. 

England are at a slightly different stage. They too have a number of players who are unlikely to still be around in 2027. But there are also many in the team who already have tournament experience and who have not yet reached their peak.

The news that Wiegman had extended her contract until the end of the 2027 World Cup came out of the blue. She had been contracted until the end of the 2025 Euros and there were questions marks over whether she would stay beyond that tournament. 

Sarina Wiegman is on a collision course with Emma Hayes for the 2027 Women's World Cup

Emma Hayes will take the reins with the USA after this season

Sarina Wiegman (left) and Emma Hayes (right) are on a collision course for the 2027 Women’s World Cup 

After winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final, Wiegman needs to fend off stagnation

After winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final, Wiegman needs to fend off stagnation

There were a number of factors for Wiegman to consider. After winning a Euros and reaching a World Cup final, the risk was that England would stagnate or go backwards. Was managing the Lionesses still the exciting challenge it was two years ago? 

Equally, Wiegman has lost two World Cup finals and is desperate to have another shot at winning that prize. With Hayes now manager of the US, where else could she have gone to give herself one more chance?

Wiegman and Hayes going up against each other for England and the US is undeniably the match up that everybody wants to see.

‘You never know. It’s exciting, of course,’ Wiegman said of the possibility of facing Hayes in 2027.

‘I think her move to the US is a good one, too. For now, it is good that we work together because of [England] international players at Chelsea, so we collaborate. But after May we’ll be opponents.

‘That’s exciting, too. I wish her the best of luck, of course, but not against us.’

There are many similarities between Hayes and Wiegman – both have an incredible coaching team around them and have a plan for every scenario. Yet their personalities differ hugely. Wiegman is more reserved. She is not one for big speeches in the media.

There are times when Hayes will deflect questions ahead of a big game, but she is more likely to give you an impassioned speech about a topic she feels strongly about. You need only listen to her four-minute monologue on male privilege when asked a question about Joey Barton’s sexist comments on social media last year.

Hayes has been successful with Chelsea but will be navigating her first international job

Hayes has been successful with Chelsea but will be navigating her first international job 

Wiegman was the last woman standing at the World Cup when it got to the quarter finals. Could she have female company in the latter stages of the next?

Wiegman was the last woman standing at the World Cup when it got to the quarter finals. Could she have female company in the latter stages of the next? 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, with a show every Monday and Thursday this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Many would have liked Hayes to have been Phil Neville’s successor for England. Should she win the World Cup with the US, the clamour for her to take over from Wiegman will be huge.

An England vs US final in 2027 would be the perfect script, but both countries have a lot of work to do to get to that point.

Wiegman and Hayes have been pioneers for women’s football and are the two leading female coaches in the world. Wiegman was the last woman standing at the World Cup at the quarter-final stage. With Hayes now in post in the US, there is every chance that there will be at least one more female manager at the latter stages in 2027.

Only time will tell whether they end up as the final two in competing for football’s greatest prize.

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Post source: Daily mail

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