One of the benefits of being a world-class women’s soccer coach is that it helps you forge connections with like-minded people. Hence, it’s only natural for Emma Hayes not to hesitate and take advantage of her stature, as she loves interacting with coaches of different teams and sports. And one of them is the Indiana Pacers’ primary assistant coach, Jenny Boucek.

Jenny Boucek didn’t get her deserved fairytale ending after all. She was close to etching history by potentially becoming the first woman on a team to win an NBA championship, but fell short after her side endured a 103–91 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the all-or-nothing deciding Game 7. But that probably wouldn’t take anything away from the pride and admiration USWNT coach Emma Hayes has for her.

And it shouldn’t. After all, nobody expected the Pacers to recover from an injury-stricken start and a 10-25 record in the first 25 games and reach Game 7 of the NBA finals. But they did, and the former WNBA player had a big role to play in it. In fact, she was sort of a tutor to forward Pascal Siakam, who had to adapt to a new system after being traded from Toronto to Indiana in the middle of the last season. “She’s been great that way,” Siakam said per WRTV. “She’s a great communicator. And also, I like her positive just energy about everything. It’s mostly needed. Even in those moments where sometimes it felt like we didn’t do well or whatever, she’s always bringing that positivity, which is needed for coaching.” 

During a recent interview on ESPN FC‘s Futbol W show, Hayes revealed that she had a “great roundtable session” with Jenny Boucek, assistant coach of the Pacers; Sandy Brondello, head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty; and Andrew Webster, head coach of the New Zealand Warriors rugby league team.

Yet, the main topic of discussion was Jenny’s work with the Pacers. “We all spoke about our pride for Jenny, how well the Pacers are doing, and the remarkable work she does. These are people that I gain valuable insights from. I’ve learned a lot from her,” said Hayes.

Of course, this praise came a few days before Boucek lost the NBA Championship, we reckon that the former Chelsea boss would still be proud of how far her fellow coaching friend came. On a different note, however, Hayes offered her special thanks to Liberty coach Sandy Brondello for subtly making her fall in love with the WNBA!

“Listen, I’ve made no secret the fact I’ve become such a big fan of the WNBA and I’ve been able to forge great relationships with many coaches across women’s sports,” added the 48-year-old, before admitting that the names mentioned are just a few so far. She connects with many more coaches through various leadership group calls, which she always looks forward to.

The reason is simple: to keep her own learning curve alive and absorb as much knowledge as possible from others. “I’m always someone who pushes myself that won’t ever change and I must do that in order to coach the best team in the world. I’ve got to make sure I’m at the front end of getting better and improving myself so that I can help our players,” concluded the former WSL coach.

How would the London-born manager have managed to cement her legendary status as a coach if she didn’t look up to other legends of the game?

Emma Hayes has one big idol she follows

16 major trophies in a 12-year stint with Chelsea women, including seven FA Women’s Super League and five FA Cups—Emma Hayes has surely built her reputation in quite a remarkable fashion. But for a moment, just close your eyes and think of a manager in the men’s game who reminds you after hearing these achievements. If your mind says Sir Alex Ferguson, then congratulations, you’ve got it right.

That’s because he is exactly the manager which not only Hayes relates to but even believes she has similar traits to the former Manchester United boss “I see so much of myself in him,” Emma once boldly remarked, even admitting the two used to talk to each other despite such a fierce overall rivalry among their former English clubs.

The former Chicago Red Stars manager even revealed that when she won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics—her first achievement as an international manager, that too in a couple of months—Sir Alex was the first one to congratulate Hayes on the triumph. “His was the first text I received when we won gold,” remarked the English boss, revealing the friendship they have with each other.

These days, even if Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer patrolling the dugout, the good news is that Emma Hayes knows how to keep her learning curve rising—by surrounding herself with masters of their respective games. Genius for a reason!