
<p>Wrexham is one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/wrexhams-social-media-reach-surpasses-premier-league-game-20230412-WST-428133.html">most popular soccer teams</a> in the United States. Despite the fact that it competes in the fourth tier in the English pyramid, millions of Americans have an affection for the side. Attribute that to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-americans-find-welcome-to-wrexham-so-compelling-20230113-WST-415264.html"><em>Welcome to Wrexham</em></a>, the FX docuseries that chronicles Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over the club.</p>



<p>However, the beneficiaries of that popularity go well beyond the senior men’s side. For example, the Wrexham Women’s team is delivering rapid success. Wrexham AFC Women competes in the Adran Premier, the top division for Welsh women’s soccer. The team is deserving of fans, as it currently leads the Adran Premier table after three games in the 2023/24 season.</p>



<p>The men’s team’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/united-states-of-wrexham-observing-the-phenomenon-in-person-20230828-WST-452411.html">international popularity</a> brings in thousands of fans to the historic Racecourse Ground. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQxm_806Cb8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humphrey Ker</a>, the executive director for Wrexham, cites that people from across the globe have traveled to the Welsh town just to watch the club. However, while they are there, fans often stay for more than the men’s team.</p>



<h2>Foreign support for Wrexham AFC Women</h2>



<p>World Soccer Talk spoke to Gemma Owen, the director of the women’s football operations at Wrexham. Owen said international fans often do the double when coming out to Wrexham. Foreign followers watch the men’s team when it plays on Saturday, then fans stay around to support the Wrexham Women on Sunday.</p>



<p>“We’ve seen an increase in the level of support that we’re getting already,” Owen said. “And that’s before any episodes have gone out that feature us.” Season Two Episode Six of <em>Welcome to Wrexham</em> focuses on the women’s team. It debuts on FX on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. ET.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="WREXHAM WOMEN: Interview with Gemma Owen" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6fZ48D6CCow?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>“What I really hope is that people, when they watch our episodes and they haven’t been to see us before, they see how much value that we add to the sport. They see how much women add to football in general.”</p>



<h5>Comparing the atmospheres</h5>



<p>Wrexham has pounced on international interest in the audience atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground. A tight-knit stadium that has the aura of the old-school grounds that American fans do not have access to. The Wrexham Women do not play at the Racecourse regularly. While it did set the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/wrexham-women-smash-record-for-biggest-welsh-crowd-20230325-WST-425251.html">women’s attendance record</a> in Wales, it calls ‘The Rock’ home. The venue holds 3,000 spectators, while 512 of those are seated. </p>



<p>“There is a different atmosphere, I’m keen to point that out. It’s very different from watching a men’s game, but it is equally enjoyable.”</p>



<p>Owen says anyone traveling out to Wrexham to watch the Women’s team has the opportunity to see an exceptional group of women in an enjoyable atmosphere.</p>



<p>“For anybody out there that might be watching this, come along and watch us if you can. I can guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy yourself first and foremost. Secondly, you will see first-hand what a special group of players and staff we’ve got.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</em></p>


Wrexham Women seeing increased foreign support at games

Foreign support is commonplace at Wrexham games, and that trend is leaking into the women who play for the club.

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<p>Chelsea’s season reached a new low with the recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-beats-chelsea-to-go-back-atop-premier-league-table-20230502-WST-431440.html">3-1 loss to Arsenal</a>. In a way, this was a changing of the guard in London. The ascendant Arsenal battered a Chelsea squad breaking barriers in regard to futility. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/30/todd-boehlys-consortium-complete-chelsea-takeover/">New ownership</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/latest-chelsea-transfers-not-at-fault-for-aimless-spending-20230114-WST-415145.html">continued investment</a> have led to a putrid product.</p>



<p>For the third time this season, Chelsea is going through a familiar ritual. Executives are contacting the agents for high-profile managers like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nagelsmann-drops-out-of-race-for-chelsea-manager-job-20230421-WST-429670.html">Julian Nagelsmann</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pochettino-negotiating-own-deal-as-chelsea-move-nears-20230427-WST-430329.html">Mauricio Pochettino</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-considers-ancelotti-as-long-term-successor-to-lampard-20230408-WST-427444.html">Carlo Ancelotti</a> and more.</p>



<p>The club needs a major reworking, that much is clear. This is not just in players but in almost everything. Attitude, culture, you name it. It all needs a rethinking. The best way to kickstart this process is to do something different with your managerial hire. Skip the usual process and bring in a smart manager who knows how to win. Yet, this manager comes from a different pedigree than the usual suspects.</p>



<p>Fortunately for Chelsea, that person has an office across the hall.</p>



<h2>Could Chelsea take on Emma Hayes as its men’s manager?</h2>



<p>Emma Hayes would be a bold hire for Chelsea as manager. Hiring the first woman manager in the Premier League alone takes vision. Then, you would also be hiring someone who lacks the experience and prowess of many of the men in talks for the job. Her experience as a manager is exclusive to the women’s game. Regardless, Hayes has two major advantages that make her a legitimate candidate for the job.</p>



<p>First, her record at Chelsea on the women’s side is undeniably good. She has had success both domestically and in Europe. The past few seasons saw both her and the club win numerous awards. For example, Chelsea is a five-time winner of the Women’s Super League, including the last three. This season could be the fourth. Also, Hayes led Chelsea to four Women’s FA Cups, including the last two. Yet again, Chelsea is still in the running to win a successive title in that competition. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Chelsea Women v Liverpool Women (2-1) | Highlights | WSL 22/23" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/riWndg1VdU4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Hayes is aggressive in the transfer market. Then, she integrates talent into her system and transitions those who are no longer a fit out of the squad. </p>



<h5>Philosophy</h5>



<p>The second advantage is her training. She was mentored by Vic Akers, one of the best managers in women’s soccer. Hayes spent time in the United States building clubs and learning how to run a club in the early days of women’s professional soccer in the States. Finally, her career includes time working in currency exchange, a practical business knowledge many managers lack but has skills that translate well to aspects of being a modern manager.</p>



<p>We could talk tactics and how, based on her past management, she would use various people on the current roster. Truthfully, she would be a good fit because she knows the game and her hiring would send a message that Chelsea is going about things in a new, more creative way. The Blues could do what they are doing now, but it’s obviously not working. They might as well look in-house where they have one of the country’s best managers already under contract.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</em></p>


Emma Hayes, the manager of the women's Chelsea squad, is the logical choice for the Chelsea men's vacancy at the manager spot.

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Women's Soccer

Wrexham Women seeing increased foreign support at games

Chelsea

Chelsea should look toward Emma Hayes as next manager