Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes has announced she is in recovery after undergoing an emergency hysterectomy.
While the Lionesses were playing out their two friendlies over the October break, Hayes had personal health issues to deal with involving an ongoing battle with endometriosis, which is a condition affecting the tissue lining the womb. Hayes has now had her womb removed in a medical procedure.
She released a statement reading: "Last Tuesday I underwent an emergency hysterectomy following my ongoing battle with endometriosis. I’m now in recovery and will need time and patience to return to full health.
"I just want to say thank you also to my amazing doctors, Dr Alex Laurence and Dr Sally Harris for their outstanding care. A huge thank you to our owners, the board and our HR director, Jo Stone, for the support they’ve shown and of course all of my family, staff and players.
"Throughout my absence, Denise Reddy will be making the on-field decisions along with Paul Green who will be carrying out all press obligations on my behalf.
"We have built a tremendous team over many years and we’ve adopted a very multi-disciplinary approach so that if situations like this arise, we are capable of being able to respond to the challenge. We have full confidence in Paul, Denise and all of the staff.
"We also know the team are very special and we have no doubt they’ll do everything to maintain their high standards.
"To our fans, you’ve had to listen to me bellowing from the other side of the pitch every week but now I want to hear you even louder because I’ll be sitting at home watching the team on the television until my return.
"I know you’ll respect that my health comes first and at this time I’ve got to prioritise what I need to do for me. I fully expect to make a full recovery and I look forward to seeing you in the foreseeable future.
"All the best, Your Manager Emma."
Reddy has been Chelsea's Assistant manager since 2020 following a 20-year career that saw the American play over 300 games for Malmo in Sweden.
Hayes' side are currently fourth in the WSL with six points after their shock 2-1 opening day defeat to Liverpool. Since then, the current champions have beaten Manchester City and West Ham United at home, 2-0 and 3-1, respectively.
The top five in the table are all on six points but leaders Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa have a game in hand over the Blues. Chelsea's next three games are away in the WSL to Everton and Brighton either side of a trip to PSG in the Champions League.
They are level on points with the Toffees, who sit in fifth, who could leapfrog them if they consign them to their second away defeat of the season.
