Chelsea boss Emma Hayes quoted a Robert Frost poem in response to criticism from Arsenal counterpart Jonas Eidevall as the pair’s feud continued today.
Hayes accused Eidevall of “male aggression” following their Conti Cup final clash two weeks ago after he had an altercation with Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert. Hayes then barged into Eidevall after the final whistle.
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Speaking at lunchtime, Eidevall said he thought Hayes’ remarks were “irresponsible”. He said: “I thought the comments that I heard after the game were very irresponsible and they were not mirroring the conduct that I had in the technical area.
“I think when you make comments about another person, you have to take into consideration what effects that can have.
“Especially when you’re a leader, you need to be very good with your words, you need to understand the consequences of both your actions and your language.”
Speaking later on Friday, Hayes hinted she regretted the barge, saying: “My son said to me after the game ‘Mummy, when you push someone in school, you’re asked to go and take time out’.
“I said to him ‘you can’t meet aggression with aggression.’ All you can do is tell the teacher and explain why something is unfair. You cannot meet aggression with aggression. I thought it was a good conversation with my son after the final.”
Quizzed further on the incident, she cited Frost’s poem ‘Choose Something Like a Star’. She added: “So when at times the mob is swayed, to carry praise or blame too far, we may choose something like a star, to stay our minds on and be staid.”
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Hayes also said she uses mindfulness exercises to help keep an element of control over her emotions.
“I’ve learned to take time in the international break to rejuvenate and get fresh. Those blocks of games take it out of you. I feel fresh, focused and ready for the last part,” she said.
“From my quote earlier, I have to stay as present as possible, and that takes a lot of work to not deal with all the things that go on. That’s being mindful in my practice.
“I will really tap into my breathwork and meditation, as it is easy to lose a bit of control over them. I don’t want to do that, as I am a lot happier when content and present.”
Chelsea visit Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday while Arsenal host Bristol City in the WSL.
