Emma Hayes slammed Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall following Chelsea’s match with Arsenal for “male aggression,” after appearing to push her counterpart following Chelsea’s loss in the English League Cup final on Sunday.
Stina Blackstenius scored in the 116th minute of the match to deliver Arsenal the 1-0 win and end Chelsea’s quadruple bid.
The two coaches had a heated exchange post match, in which Hayes appeared to share tense words with the Arsenal boss.
Following the match, Hayes said that she thought Eidevall’s behavior toward Erin Cuthbert as she went to take a throw-in toward the end of the game “unacceptable.”
“Listen, I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do. I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way,” Hayes said. “I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, I’m really not, and fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed and I told Jonas that. I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that.
“He got a yellow card, and he should have probably been sent off. I’m all for competing to win, I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here, I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win but his behavior on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”
According to Hayes, there “was a couple” of moments that warranted her comments and actions following the final whistle. She noted that there was another moment with Ann-Katrin Berger trying to get the ball.
“But the way he fronted up to Erin I didn't think was acceptable. It's not the first time he's been told about his behavior on the touchline," Hayes said.
erin clearly minding her own business then jonas starts screaming at her, good on her for putting him in his place👍 pic.twitter.com/vZUpoTzXsa
— bella (@bellacfc) March 31, 2024
Earlier this season, Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor also took exception to Eidevall’s behavior on the touchline. But Eidevall pushed back at Hayes’ comments, calling the labeling “irresponsible.”
"I think that's a very irresponsible way of labeling the behavior that I have," he said. "I don't feel comfortable with that label. I don't think it's the truth to do that, so I think it's very irresponsible to do that."
He also said that the argument began before kickoff, with Chelsea requesting to play a single-ball system while Arsenal wanted a multiball system.
"Arsenal wanted it to be played with a multiball system, Chelsea wanted it to be played with a one-ball system. Therefore, the final was played with a one-ball system," Eidevall said post match. "The ball gets kicked away, and Chelsea wants to take a new ball to throw a quick throw-in, and I said, 'You guys wanted to play with one ball, now we need to get that ball.'
"Of course, Erin is not happy over that. I didn't say anything more in that situation."
He also called out Hayes’ behavior following the final whistle.
"I think there is definitely a way you behave in the technical area. There is also a way you behave after the game, being a good winner, but you also need to be a good loser and be responsible in both those situations," he said. "I'm happy with the way I conduct myself, and others need to look in the mirror and see if they're happy with themselves."
