LONDON — Even Sonia Bompastor didn’t think this would happen. The Chelsea head coach, a serial winner as both a player and a manager with Lyon, did not foresee such a stunning debut campaign in west London.
“If I am honest, when I first came to Chelsea, I was not expecting as much success as we’ve had,” Bompastor told club media ahead of Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final, which saw Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0 at Wembley Stadium. (Stream the replay on ESPN+, U.S. only)
“Even though I am very ambitious, the club is ambitious, and we are a good match. This summer’s transition was huge. Emma [Hayes] was the coach for 12 years, and I had big shoes to fill.”
Indeed, following on from Hayes, who left the club last summer to take charge of the United States national team after a trophy-laden spell at Kingsmeadow, seemed an ominous task. The departure of a storied manager can often prompt a period of transition and turmoil, particularly at clubs like Chelsea, where success is not a choice but a condition of tenure.
However, Bompastor has taken the challenge in her stride, guiding the Blues to a domestic treble of the FA Cup, League Cup and the Women’s Super League (WSL) title. It is a feat even Hayes managed only once, in 2020-21, and so for Bompastor to…
