Chelsea have agreed a deal to appoint Sonia Bompastor as their new manager, with Emma Hayes set to leave for the United States Women's National Team this summer, a report has revealed.
Bompastor was identified as the Blues' top choice target months ago, and is now expected make a move to the Women's Super League to lead the reigning league champions.
The current Lyon manager became the first person to win the Women's Champions League as both a player and a manager after taking charge of the French side in 2021.
Bompastor's current contract runs until 2025, but reports from The Telegraph state that an early release has been agreed, allowing her to leave sooner.
Bompastor is expected to bring her assistant, Camille Abily, with her to Chelsea.
The former French star will have high standards to match as she prepares to take over from the most successful manager in the WSL era. Hayes has won 15 trophies so far during her reign, transforming Chelsea into one of the most dominant sides in women's football.
Hayes may well add more silverware to her collection in her final season, with the Blues fighting on three fronts in the WSL, the FA Cup and the prestigious Champions League.
Chelsea could actually face Bompastor's Lyon in the final of the Champions League, having been drawn on opposite sides of the bracket.
Bompastor enjoyed an illustrious playing career before beginning her journey as a manager. She achieved 156 caps for France and 250 club appearances, with 113 of those being at Lyon.
