Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says she is still suffering from the injury that ended her football playing career.
Hayes, 46, has been a manager for over 20 years and since 2012 has coached the Blues' women's side, winning 12 major trophies during her tenure, with the team becoming one of the best in Europe. But prior to her time on the touchline, Hayes' own playing career was cut short by an ankle injury while she was at Arsenal's academy, endured at the age of just 17 on a ski trip.
Speaking to Geoff Shreeves alongside Ian Wright ahead of the 2023 ' Legends of Football' awards event, Hayes revealed how the injury still causes her issues to this day.
"I'm still having to live it," said Hayes when asked about how she dealt with her injury. "Last week I had to get another injection on it.
"Me and him (Ian Wright) had the same injury at the same time, and he retired. I'm still having to live with something from that.
"It was the same time, we saw the same surgeon. If I was to get the same injury now, it wouldn't be an issue. But back then, doing microfractures and things like that was really challenging. Playing without a cartilage is difficult - but now it is just about being able to do my job."
The injury blow meant Hayes was originally told not to kick a ball again. And although it meant the Chelsea boss was unable to play at the elite level of the game, she did state that she doesn't regret dedicating her childhood to football. Hayes also revealed that by still working in the industry of the game, football has never felt like a regular profession.
"My sister and I had this conversation the other day," added Hayes. "She said she wished we had done more homework when we were at school and I said 'why?'
"Look at all the great play we had. We were constantly out around the flats playing football until the sun went down. From the end of school until 10pm in the summer.
"I wouldn't change my childhood. But whatever level people play - when your passion is taken away it is hard. I definitely had a dodgy spell for a couple of years.
"Thankfully I found my feet, because I didn't realise how traumatised about my injury I was until years later. But I'm still able to work in the profession. I haven't worked a day in my life."
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