The first interview: Sonia Bompastor
From the official Chelsea FC website:
As the first week of Chelsea Women pre-season begins, new head coach Sonia Bompastor sat down to talk about joining the club, getting to work, her Champions League ambitions and connecting with the fans.
Sonia, welcome to Chelsea. How does it feel to finally be here?
I feel really excited to start this journey with the club. We could feel from last week starting working with the staff, people are really welcoming us and this is something great for us. I just feel great and I can’t wait to get started.
The players return for pre-season this week, how much are you looking forward to working with this incredibly talented group of players?
I’m very much looking forward to working with all the players. I’m used to – and have the experience of – having many players in the squad from all over the world. International players with different cultures and different mentalities, and I think this is something great.
I know in Chelsea’s squad there is a lot of quality and a lot of talent. I can’t wait to get started on the pitch with the players and make sure we work together in a good way.
You join after so many years of success at Lyon, why was this the right time for you to move with your family?
I’m someone who really likes to have really big challenges in my personal life, but also in my professional life.
I think it is just the right place to be. Chelsea’s a strong club and one of the best in Europe.
We need to work more to achieve one more goal. We will make sure we keep being successful in the league and in the cups, but also I’m here to make sure the club is able to win the Champions League. I will give all my energy to support the players to reach that goal.
It’s a new era after Emma’s (Hayes) departure in the summer…
She has been really supportive. Emma is someone I know because she was my assistant coach when I played in the WPS in the US.
I’m looking forward to now trying to build from her legacy. She did a wonderful job and now I’m bringing my own personal touch as well to make sure the club reach all the expectations. We aim for the Champions League and all the other titles.
You’re the only female player to have won the Champions League both as a player and a coach, how valuable will that winning mentality be here at Chelsea?
I think the group already have a great mentality – a mentality of winning. This is something that has always been here.
The players are really important for me and they will be the ones who make sure we are successful.
I’m here to help them feel comfortable on the field, to make sure they understand my game model, my philosophy and my vision of the performance.
I just want them to enjoy. When you have the chance to do a job with your passion, I think this is a privilege. I just want the players to be really happy when they step in the field and to enjoy with winning and scoring a lot of goals – and we will work very hard to achieve this goal.
You’re used to working with big players and big personalities, how valuable will that be here at Chelsea?
We know when we are at a coach at such a big club the pressure of the result is always there and it’s something I’m used to.
And from my experience of managing pretty big names, it’s something really important because I always say the players are the ones who make you look good. You need to have some pretty big names and talented squad to make sure you achieve your goals.
The WSL is getting more and more competitive, how much are you looking forward to actually experiencing the league?
Everyone knows the WSL is maybe the most competitive league in the world. This is one of my reasons why I decided to join England, Chelsea and this league.
I’m pretty excited to be in this competitive league. All the clubs are really competitive – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and some others.
I can’t wait to get to that point when we start the championship and you just play against these strong teams and all the great atmosphere coming from the fans and the stadium. This is something really exciting.
How much are you looking forward to building that connection with the Chelsea supporters?
The fans are the ones we always want to be there and supporting the team. We will make sure we put the team in a good place for them to enjoy anytime they come to the stadium.
I’m looking forward to meeting them and being successful – making sure they enjoy coming to watch our games.
This is about also the ambitions of the club. We know we’re going to fight for four titles and we want to make them understand and enjoy all these kind of things. I’m really excited to meet them and have the opportunity to talk to them.
Finally Sonia, what would your message to the Chelsea supporters be?
For all the Chelsea supporters, I just want to tell you I’m really excited to join the club, the team and the squad. I can’t wait to join you in the stadium and feel your great support.
We will need you all through the season. I can’t wait to get started with you all, the players – and also with winning some games!
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