[WPS] The Chicago entrant in the new Women's Professional Soccer has named Englishwoman Emma Hayes, a coach at the top-ranked Arsenal Ladies Football Club in London, as its head coach and director of soccer operations.

Since 2006, Hayes has served as first-team assistant coach and academy director at the Arsenal Ladies, who won the FA Women's Premier League and FA Women's Cup the last three seasons and the UEFA Women's Cup in 2007.
 
"Emma has succeeded at every level she has coached," said Chicago GM Marcia McDermott. "We feel she has the right experience, the passion and the knowledge to be a great leader for our club.  She is prepared to take on the challenge of building a professional team from the onset,."
 
This isn't Hayes' first coaching stint in the United States. She coached the W-League's Long Island Lady Riders (2001-03) and Iona College (2004-05). She was the W-League's Coach of the Year in 2002 and MAAC Coach of the Year in 2004.
 
Hayes says the opportunity to be part of a new league lured her away from Arsenal. 

"This will be the best league in the world, with the greatest players, the best facilities and the biggest challenge," she said. "All of that will make this the league the rest of the world will watch."

Other WPS coaches who have been hired: Tony DiCicco-Boston; Ian Sawyers-New Jersey/New York; Jim Gabarra-Washington.