Football Daily - Women's Football Weekly: Jen retires & Chelsea with Sonia Bompastor

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk Jen’s announcement that she is retiring from football. The team take a look back at Jen’s career, the highs and lows and what the future looks like post football. Ben sat down for a conversation with the Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor and discussed how it feels to have a target on her back, the environment she’s created at the club and her perfect start. Plus Jen and Ellen share why they think Renee Slegers is the right fit to be the permanent manager at Arsenal and what went wrong for Manchester City in the derby. Timecodes:00:20 Intro 01:00 Jen’s retirement! 07:20 Making the decision to retire 14:00 Jen on having a platform 25:15 Sonia Bompastor 40:15 Jen & Ellen on Sonia’s management style 47:00 Arsenal & Slegers appointment 49:20 Manchester DerbyBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Tue 21 Jan 1745 Monaco v Aston Villa Tue 21 Jan 2000 Liverpool v Lille Wed 22 Jan 2000 PSG v Man City Thu 23 Jan 2000 Man Utd v Rangers

BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. On the Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly, with Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. Welcome back to the Women's Football Weekly. Lots to get into today. Jen and Ellen with me as always. Hello, Ellen. How are you? I'm good, thank you. How are you, Ben? Very good. How are you, Jen? All good, thank you, Ben. We've got a very exciting long chat coming up with Sonia Bomberstor today, who continues to impress at Chelsea. Massive results in

the first weekend back in the WSL, which we'll get into, of course, as well. But first, we're going to begin with a very big announcement from Jen Beattie. Jen, what are we announcing today? We are officially announcing my retirement from professional football. Wow, that's huge. How do you feel? I know it does feel big and it's big saying it, but honestly, I feel pretty good about it. I feel ready. I feel really excited for what's next. And I think like Ellen will probably say the same thing, when when you actually stop and make the decision it's been actually so fun looking back at all the pictures and all the memories and all like

because you forget half the stuff when you're in it and playing you're always just looking at next session next game so I've actually really enjoyed this little spell over Christmas and actually finalizing the decision and looking back and talking about it with friends talking about it with family and um just looking back and reflecting has been so enjoyable and I've just had the best job in the world loved every second about it would do it all over again and but yeah I'm happy I'm ready for what's next and I feel really good about it I was thinking Jen when you mentioned before that this news was going to be coming this week I wondered what the correct reaction is because on one hand it's it's obviously sad that one door closes it's exciting that another door opens but

more than anything I think I hope I'm right I'm saying here Ellen on behalf of both of us like massive congratulations you've had such an incredible career you've done so much on the pitch you've done so much off the pitch as well I think you're right it just must be so nice to just sit and go wow look at that body of work that I put together over the course of how many years has it been that you've been in professional football I think I made my senior debut 17 when playing in Scotland so like senior football 17 years of your life 16 17 years yeah half of my yeah long time no I was just gonna say that obviously huge congratulations but how does it feel to be making it decision on your terms you've you know there's

so many people that you know the football's maybe taken away or that you know they weren't able to make that decision but you've you've obviously thought a lot about it um spoken obviously to a lot of people but to make that decision for you and what you feel is is the right time for you as well yeah look I think it's a very very lucky position to be in I remember being in that same situation when I retired from Scotland I think if you can not control that's but I think it would be so different if you know an injury ended it or you know a contract just just ran out I had another year on my contract at bay and I just ultimately got to a point where I didn't feel at my best anymore I didn't feel like I was being fulfilled in football in the same way that I could have done

elsewhere and and Ben's totally right I think it, I really want it to be like a really positive thing. I don't want to kind of it to be sad and, because it is end of an era, of course, but to look back and to be able to celebrate some really cool things and be really positive about it, that's exactly how I feel. But no, you're spot on. I think it's such a difficult decision no matter when you make it um but to be able to make that decision on your own and like talk about it with friends talk about

it family but you know not a lot of people are in difficult positions with injuries and physically and luckily you know I've actually felt really good I feel great and need to get back in the gym right enough but um ready for the retirement plan what's the retirement plan else just have fun mate it's amazing I don't do anything I do nothing would you do fives no oh I'm desperate you know I've been asked to quite a few times to do five though and I thought, oh, do I want to? Then I thought, no, I'd probably just get injured. Have you done anything yet, Jen? Have you done anything that you wouldn't have been allowed to do as a player?

Oh, yeah. Like, I actually, even when I was still playing, like, I couldn't wait to have a sort of normal exercise plan where you go do like Pilates when you want you go do yoga when you want you go and run a 10k if you want you go and do x y and z you go and do the I don't know the all the exercise classes at the gyms like with the 60s like yeah like I actually yeah or go play go play fives. Like, I can't, like, we have played professional sport for so long and it's been so serious and you're paid to train, paid to win games. And it's, like, I love that.

Don't get me wrong. I love the competitive side of it, but I can't wait for, like, exercise to be fun again and not, you know, interval running because you're going to go back to pre-season or, you know, very because you're going to go back to pre-season or you know very set and structured and controlled I'm kind of really excited for that like you know go and do this if you want go and do that and we I actually went to a Pilates class like a couple of weeks ago and

I was like my hamstrings were more sore from that than like 90 minutes I was like did you do the reformer yeah so good especially for bad backs right like oh it's it's amazing yeah it's one of those things that I wish I would have done while I was still playing but no I'm like really excited to go play fives go do the Pilates classes go like like exercise to be for enjoyment and fun again rather than no routine no structure just do what you want it's amazing yeah is is there a moment is there a point of no return when you're making a decision like this I suppose it's a question for both of you but is there a point when you think this is coming and I think I'm gonna turn the light switch out on that part of my life. And then once you've had that, you can't then go back on it.

Or do you find yourself bouncing back and forth? I was talking about it maybe six, nine months before I actually did retire. And I think once I actually said it out loud, I felt like a huge kind of weight had lifted. And I felt like I could enjoy then the last kind of six, nine months of my career. And I told, I literally told two people sorry four um so I didn't have any kind of eyes watching me being oh this is the last six nine months but I just obviously I cried when I initially said it but I felt like a huge weight had been lifted um and I think once I'd said it I you know I felt

really comfy in that kind of thinking of retiring and thought, no, this is the right decision for me, for my family, for the next step in my future. So I think it was just very freeing for me to kind of say out loud and to make that decision. I'm not sure. What was your thinking, Jen? Yeah, I think I was quite similar. I think I may be like quite stubborn in that sense that once I've made a decision and said it out loud, especially to friends and family, you know, because I kind of toyed about it. I'm thinking about this. What do you think? And obviously, your friends and family are never going to push you into any decision. They just kind of like

offer support and, you know, advice and all of that stuff. And I knew it was very much going to be my decision, which was great. And again and again very lucky but I remember my decision got made after the season so I was at home with friends and family and back in the UK so I'm almost like quite gutted I didn't get that last training session or last game to kind of be like in my head I knew that was it but I still think in the last training session in the last game I knew deep down I just hadn't outright said it um so that's my one thing I'm always going to be a bit like kind of wish I'd had that one last game to be like everyone okay bye like but um no I I feel lucky that I kind of in some ways I think I would have found that harder being in it it, being around it, and more emotional.

Whereas because the season had ended, I was back home with friends and family and I could kind of just be around them to kind of be like, okay, that's it. And, you know, that's okay. And honestly, it's so interesting now that I'm in the position of friends that have gone through it, like yourself, Ellen,

all the seniors that played above me, like I've seen them go through it and you never really know what that process is like because no one really speaks about it that much but until you're in it you have no idea how anyone comes to that decision or what the situation is like and it's it's hard and a lot of people will find it really hard but I think I have like the utmost respect for like everyone that's gone through it and like dealt with it really well and gone on to do like really incredible things because it's it's such a difficult little transition and everyone comes to that point in in navigating it really differently you mentioned that you've had a chance to start looking back can you remember what the first thing was that you thought about? The first thing I thought about was actually most recent times.

So most recent ones at Arsenal, obviously the Wilsberg game and Champions League and seeing the way the game's gone. But then being home with friends and obviously working. I worked with Steph Houghton a little bit before Christmas and my Man City career was just some of the best days of my football like I absolutely loved it and playing with her every week was just amazing but then and then even again some someone reminded me of like a hat trick against the hat trick against Barcelona when I was a kid at Arsenal. And that's going back. I don't even know how many years now, but that was champions league home at Boreham Wood. And that,

you know, you forget about the really early days. So it was, it was, it was actually Beth Mead that reminded me of that. She was like, that's not your highlight. Cause I was talking about highlights or she'd asked me and she was like but what about this and I was like oh yeah like wait so can I just confirm you got to sit with Beth last week and just do your greatest hits that's that's pretty good going a few days before your retirement isn't it yeah it was a pretty short conversation no yeah well because obviously my friends knew and um i was at home last week doing some some media stuff so um we're talking about it and again like you said when you have the opportunity to kind of reflect and stuff and then your friends even remind you of fun moments or things you've done. And that's really nice because, you know,

at least they remember. There's just so much here, Jen, that is sort of triggering memories for me. And I suppose a lot of people naturally think of you, Arsenal, Man City, but you've played all over the world as well. Yeah, and I always you know like okay top top clubs and trophies is is why everyone plays right but I always said this to my friends and my family

that one of the best things about football is seeing the world and traveling and the opportunities you can to to play abroad and Montpellier definitely stands out when I was 22 to kind of go and experience the French League and that was my first actual out. When I was 22 to kind of go and experience the French League, and that was my first actual pro experience because that was my first ever full-time. So to go and live in the south of France and experience a different culture, a different style of play was just one of the hardest

but best things I've ever did. I grew up so quickly when I was there, and really being isolated, away from friends, away from family, another language was just... But also I was in the south of France living on the beach. It was insane, a kid from Glasgow to be down there. And then Melbourne, again, just under the city football group

to have that opportunity to go and play there on your off-season. So I wasn't missing any of the season. It was just an unbelievable opportunity and that was one of like some of the best four months of my life was was playing out there for with with Kim and Jess Fishlock and again we won the shield and the championship so it was just yeah I feel so lucky to have gone abroad and again most recently playing out in California for a year it's just one of the best things. I'm so grateful to football for giving me those opportunities and I would encourage anyone to kind of really go out your comfort zone

if they're still in their career and go and do those things. And all alongside your football career, I mean, you've had so many difficult things to contend with in your own life as well. I remember vividly speaking to you about the idea of moving to france and not understanding the language and writing to yourself a list of words that you needed to learn so that you could understand training like literal basic things like cone ball mark offside things like that you know that from basic things like that to then some of the things that I'm sure so many people will feel such

resonance with you for in your life around cancer as well but then also the idea of of going and trying new things and being brave enough to go and do new things and do charity work as well alongside your playing career it's not just been about football for you over the last 17 years? No, well, 17 years, when you put it like that. No, and I think, I'm sure Ellen would say the same thing. Like, I think when you're a female in the game and playing at top clubs, you really understand the sort of privilege of having a platform. I think no matter what you have,

and I think I've always kind of taken that really seriously because I've always wanted to be a positive person and, you know, have nothing but good to say and try and do good things and really create communities outside of football because I think it's so important to kind of understand that, yes, we're footballers, but we're also people and we're also humans

and we also go through some really difficult things. And the more that you speak out about that and kind of be your true self, that's what happens. You kind of reach out to people and they appreciate it. But no, I've always taken the platform really seriously and kind of wanted to use it for better of the good. And, you know, of course, I've gone through some really difficult things,

but I think it also helped me talking about it and talking to friends and being open allowed me to kind of process that. So I'm grateful for the football community to allow me to do that as well. And again, the clubs that I've played at, whether it was Arsenal or Man City, they all shared that story

and they shared that sort of same vision of, like, I'll never forget that game, actually. It was Arsenal or Man City they all shared that story and they shared that sort of same vision of like I'll never forget that game actually it was Arsenal Man City at um up at the academy training ground and walk in and seeing everyone's pink number fives on their back that was just always a standout moment that that was more than football everything is more than football that's what I've come to realize we all play this a game and it's so fun and it's so competitive and you know super serious when you're trying to achieve things but when you talk about that kind of stuff and you realize that right someone's going through something really difficult let's all come together and kind of help one another that's what's really most important to me and that I'll never forget that two of two you know the best clubs I've ever played for Man City and Arsenal coming together and sharing a really difficult story so always

appreciate that. Jim just quickly for people that maybe haven't heard that story before I'm sure lots of people have but one what what happened that day and when do you remember finding out that everyone was gonna have that on the backs of their shirts yeah so I can't in in the timeline of it I'm pretty sure it was just before Christmas so I'd I'd gone through all I think I was actually going through radiotherapy at the time so I was exhausted like going to radiotherapy every day um so I'd almost finished treatment but I was back playing so I'd had my surgery like I'd been diagnosed with cancer, had the surgery, returned to play, returned to football. And I think then I opened up to charities at that point to kind of speak about it and raise the awareness.

And the awareness piece was coming out of the weekend that I was playing Man City at Man City. And I had no idea, but in order to kind of raise more awareness and have more of a media output, both clubs had come together to wear pink number fives for breast cancer charity. It was Cancer Research UK working at the time on the back of their warm-up tops, both clubs. So I remember walking into, I had no idea though so I remember walking into the changing room before the game ready to warm up while warm up and I was probably like my brain was a bit mushy at that point right I was

exhausted I was returning I was going through something difficult and I just remember seeing uh my number five warm-up being pink and I was like oh that's really cool like that that's a really cool thing to raise awareness and people are going to see that and it's pink and it's great and I've got these pink boots that have got the pink ribbon on it um this is great this is um gonna raise a lot of awareness and then it wasn't until I looked around the changing room and I was like oh god everyone's got number five like this was it was like like so overwhelming I can't even tell you and then so that was overwhelming in itself and then going warming up and seeing the whole other team so your best mates Steph, Ellen,

people I'd played with over so many years and it was just i'm almost crying about it now because it was just so emotional and heartfelt and really meant so much um yeah special day do you remember that day ellen yeah it's just it's incredible isn't it for football is just bigger it's it's about people um using your voice um but then it's also to show how much love everyone had for Jen at that moment and for football to come together for that one person

because of how special she is but then also to raise awareness as well so I feel quite emotional now you're making me want to cry as well but yeah what you've done and how brave you have to kind of speak out about something that was really kind of horrendous for you is absolutely phenomenal. And what you continue to do as well to raise awareness for people all around the world. And I think you're a huge credit not just to yourself but to everyone as

well so yeah thank you for speaking out and being such an amazing kind of ambassador for everyone and for cancer in particular. Well deep breaths everyone I'm gonna start blubbing here and just before we move on Jen I wanted to so many players, particularly in the women's game, want to leave the game in a better place than when they started playing. Have you been able to have a moment yet where you look at the span of that you look at Scotland and the international scene, are you able to take stock of what you've achieved and see that the game is in a better place for you having been a part of it for the last nearly two decades? Yeah, I think definitely for Scotland. I think when I first got called up for Scotland, we hadn't made a major tournament and that was the goal.

So to qualify for the euros in 2017 and then the world cup in 2019 to do those tournaments two back-to-back um i think you know did so much for girls playing football in scotland and have something to really aspire to and i think and again behind the scenes and how we kind of tried to push the association for more funding more more investment. That is something that, you know, I was still always trying to do and meant a lot to kind of really, I think it was so important to make the most of that time.

But to get into a major tournament, that's something I'm most proud of, to do two back-to-back and to really inspire the sort of next generation. So they were definitely key moments for me in terms of Scotland shirt and then I think from a club perspective it's always been such a gradual process and again I talk a lot about responsibility of women in the game and it's been going on for years having conversations behind the scenes for more investment more

funding more exposure more media attention to really help that. And I've always loved that, though. I've loved that feeling of, right, this is not for us. This is for whoever's next. But definitely some huge moments were obviously after the Euros when Lionesses won the Euros and the impact that that had on club football. So selling out stadiums at Emirates and after that. But I think it's always been behind the scenes.

I think if everyone knew the conversations that were happening with staff and with owners of clubs, that would really sort of make everyone more aware that everyone is doing their bit. Trust me on that. Every person at clubs, no matter what level, is really pushing boundaries behind the scenes. Trust me on that. Every person at clubs, no matter what level, is really pushing boundaries behind the scenes.

And thankfully, the game is in an incredible place. And I think Ellen would say the same. For Ellen to have played at sold-out Wembleys and have really, really big moments, I think we've played in front of no one early in our career. So to still have been a part of that now, I feel so lucky to have had a little part of that but no I'm so proud of where the game's at and I think in that sense I'm excited for what's next this will be a part of it from a different angle to really watch it continue on

that unbelievable growth. What do you think is next for you Jen? So I retired from Scotland a couple of years ago and I've genuinely loved doing all the broadcasting stuff I love this podcast so we'll continue with that but no like I love it I like I grew up watching my dad work for the BBC and in Scotland and and commenting on rugby and being on TV and radio and kind of I think that's why he stayed in the game for for so long and and I love that aspect I think it's when you go and do the live stuff I think it's why he stayed in the game for so long. And I love that aspect. I think it's when you go and do the live stuff, I think it's the closest bit of adrenaline we'll ever get to playing 90 minutes. So when I come off air, I'm like,

that's the closest thing I think I'll ever get. And it keeps you close to the game, keeps you connected with friends from the game. And it's where my knowledge is from being in the game for so long. So broadcasting and media is 100% I think I want to do I also love like the behind the scenes stuff like even when we've done live games that like you just have a laugh and a joke behind this and I love it like I love the

sort of intense of it I love the live stuff but and then I love the general chats like podcasting so for me broadcasting is definitely the next step I really enjoy doing it and I love the people that are in it. Jenna, are we going to have a heel turn persona from you where you suddenly become like super critical pundit? Are you going to go full Roy Keane on us? Now that you don't have to worry about keeping anyone happy that you're going to be playing alongside anymore, you can just go for people.

Can you imagine? That would be so much fun. Slating people no but you're like we're so proud of you jen and um congratulations again it's been just like wonderful to get to talk about this for a bit as well and uh have a bit of space i think this is the beauty of podcasts right in that you can actually sit and explore things a little bit so it's it's it's wicked that we've we've had this chance and

congratulations again thanks Ben you're the only one that's made me cry so far sorry sorry but yeah should we talk about Sonia

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Listen on BBC Sounds. On the Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly. With Ben Haynes, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. So as Jen mentioned, I caught up with Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor. 11 games in in the WSL, 10 wins, 1 draw, 36 goals scored. So we began with what an incredible start it's been. Yeah, you have to be confident when you coach this team and this club. But of course, we always have high expectations but yeah

I think it could have not been a lot better than what we did so yeah we only dropped two points so in terms of results of course we are really pleased with the results in terms of performance I think we did a really great job even if I still think we have room for improvement but this is what is exciting. Where do you want to improve? A lot of things actually I would say but yeah you know you always have room for improvement and this is the mentality we need to have when you think and analyze the performances yeah sometimes I hope we could control more the game in different ways,

in possession, out of possession. And this is the details I want to share with my players to make sure in the biggest games we are ready to compete. Take me into the expectations that you had before you started. Has anything surprised you as we look kind of halfway through? Not really surprised as I said I knew coming to Chelsea we the club and I had really high expectations we are really ambitious and I feel the support from the club and I think I'm lucky enough to have a good squad and I think that's important. I think as a staff we really work all really hard to make sure we have again the right mentality but also we put the right elements on the pitch every day for training sessions but also for the games and I think from the

beginning of the season maybe we were able to explain really with a lot of clarity what we expect from the players individually, but also as a team. And I think maybe that's what made the difference. Has anything changed from your, what would you call them, like your non-negotiables so far? Not really, but I would say as a manager, you know, you always have your expectations and sometimes you also need to be flexible. So, yes, sometimes in my management, in my decision makings, I change a little bit. But just to make sure I was having the right decision with my squad, my players in the club, because coming from my previous environment there are some differences and I just need to

make sure as a manager again with all my staff and I have a lot of support from them I just make the right decisions. I noticed one of the first things that you said was we dropped two points are you a perfectionist? Yeah I would say I am obsessed about the details. And this is sometimes good. Sometimes, yeah, it takes a long time for us to speak about the training session, the game plan, because I really want to be on every detail and making sure we don't forget anything. This is the way I'm used to work.

So, yeah, really demanding demanding and I think sometimes it's a bit tiring for my staff but also in the other way yeah I just want to make sure we have the right mentality again and the good values for us to go deep into every competition. Is that couple of points that you dropped is that something that has bugged you because of how good you've been all the way through the season to see that that there's one column that has a one in it now? Yeah as a person I think I'm more like this it comes also from my education as I told you I always look more on what we didn't achieve rather than what we achieved. But also I need to make sure I get the right balance, even with the players, because they need to have the confidence.

And most of the time the confidence comes from me. And I need to make sure when we are doing good stuff, I just tell them as well. I'm desperate to know how you go about managing expectation now, when you have the start that you have, because I think it would be so easy to look ahead and go, we could go the whole season unbeaten. No, I think at the moment we just want to take game by game,

but I would say I don't want to change our mentality. I want to make sure my players and my staff keep the same mentality, look at every game on the way where we want to compete in each game. We know everyone wants to beat us, but we need to find a way to win again. So I wouldn't change anything from the beginning of the season and we still have the same mindset. Do you like that challenge of knowing that now there's the target on you that everyone wants to go after you because of the fact you haven't lost yet? Yeah and I would say also coming from my previous environment I'm used to that I think I have the experience and that's a good

feeling yeah of course we know everyone wants to beat us and we are at the moment in a good position but in football everything can happen. And if you are not prepared for that, you can be in trouble. And this is not where we want to be. I found it really interesting that you said that you're obsessed. But at the same time, I've watched countless videos of you having a wonderful time while you're away on the warm weather camp. You are able to let your hair down and enjoy yourself as well with your team yeah i think that's part of the job you know it's being on the right place on the right moment so when we are on the pitch i am the coach and i

need to set the standards for the team the high expectations but uh when we are outside the pitch i'm sonia the person the lady the, the mom. So I am completely different and I think the players like it when you are able to switch from the coach to the person and I think that's also part of the mentality we want to have, making sure. For me, I see that like we are a family. When you reflect about it, you spend more time with your players and your staff rather than with your own family. So Chelsea is my family now and I want to take care of my family. Are you mum in that family?

Sometimes, yeah, I would say, especially with the young ones, but also with the experienced ones. I think, yeah, that's sometimes good to make people understand I am also venerable and that's fine. You know, everyone has strengths and weaknesses and I'm not different from someone else. So I think, yeah, as part of a family, sometimes you need to set the standards. Sometimes you need to drive the high expectations,

but sometimes it's also fine to say, yeah, I need your support. That's really fascinating because I think a lot of coaches might find it hard to be vulnerable because they would like to be seen as the leader and almost impenetrable and having no weakness. So that's quite an interesting approach to say, listen, I'll let my guard down with you. Just because that's the way it is.

And if one manager steps in an interview saying like, I'm always 100% confident, I won't believe it. Because that's not true. You know, as a manager, of course, you are the leader. You have all the pressure on yourself and that's fine that's my fuel my energy every day but also sometimes it's fine to say yeah maybe I'm not 100% and I need to have your back on that situation when you play that role is it is it hard to then almost when players need direct feedback from you,

really clear, direct, not always positive feedback, but critique, is it hard to give? No, not really. I had one today, actually, with one player. And I think, like, I always make them understand I have Sonia, the coach, and Sonia, again, the person. And when I'm the coach talking to the player yeah I am direct and I always find a way to give a constructive feedback but I always tell the truth

because I don't want to be in a situation where the players will find out the truth later even if sometimes I tell them this is difficult for me because as a coach this is what I think in terms of performance but as a person I know it's difficult for you I know mentally you are struggling and I want to support you as much as I can but am I the right person to do that sometimes not so I'll make sure someone in my staff just helps the players mentally and in every aspect of the game. I don't want my players to like me or to love me. This is not my goal. I just want them to realise everyone from the staff, starting from me, is working really hard to make sure we give them the right support for them to perform on the pitch. And if I have this respect from them,

that's enough for me. Does that come into your mind when you're then looking to recruit players? Are you looking for characters that will fit with that style? Yeah, I think so. That's really important. I spoke a lot about the values

and I think it's important to get the players who have the right values in our club. I think we showed that. We spoke a lot about the results, the performances, but I have to say I'm really proud of the group of players I am managing. They are good characters, good players, but also and most of it, like they are good persons and I think that's really important. I'm really proud of that. They have voices and yeah, it's good. They have voices that's really important I'm really proud of that they have voices and yeah that's good they have voices they give you feedback too yeah also I think

I want to make sure we work in an environment where people feel safe people feel free to say their mindset and what they think and even if this is not something sometimes positive, it's more negative, I want them to find a way to come and talk to me and tell me what they think, really. I don't have any ego. Maybe some have, but I'm not this type of manager. And if someone comes to me and tells me the truth

or something they don't like, I'm really open-minded on yeah talking about it can I ask you who's good at giving feedback most of my players I would say I would probably need to encourage more the young players to do that but my leaders in the team I have a lot of names because we have an experienced team but yeah most of them feel free, I think, to come and give me feedback and tell me what they think. Amazing. It's a busy time of year, so many games coming up. And as well as that, the transfer window is open too.

How hard is it to go out and look for players when you've had the start that you've had? Again, I think that's more a bigger picture and reflecting on what do we want for the future. So I think where are we at at the moment? Where do we want to go? And where do we want to be in the medium time and the longer term?

Yeah, thank you. So yeah, we always um in the transfer window if there is an opportunity for us to make a good decision a right decision but uh if not i'm happy with the squad i have if maybe something can happen yeah we'll be looking forward for that can i go back a tiny bit to you talking about being a mum? We had Katrina Gori on the podcast last week and she spoke a lot about environments where children are welcome and how they can bring a side out of a team that you didn't realise was there. Have you had that experience of where you have kids around the place?

Yeah, we had this experience in my previous environment when i was coaching new but also in chelsea and this is also why i made the decision to become a chelsea manager you know i think we are really aligned from a club perspective and my vision on a lot of things, the ambitions, the vision and also the values. And when we speak about having the nice environment, the best environment for players and staff to stay, to feel safe and to come every day in the building and be happy. This is about also having sometimes the opportunity to bring kids. And we don't have any player yet who is a mom, but has a manager. I am a mom of four. And the last training camp we had in Portugal, my kids were there and they spent all the five days with us. And I think it was a really nice moment for the players for me of course but

for the staff you know my kids know exactly when they can come and share moments with the team with the players and when they don't have to come let's say really simple when we win the game that's fine for them to come on the pitch at the end when we lose they know they have to stay in the stands yeah they don't have that problem though you Not yet. You haven't even had that experience. Not yet. That's true. But it's just like, yeah, having the right call, you know, and knowing about the framework and what type of environment we want to create.

But I think if you reflect on the training camp we had in Portugal, I think everyone was so happy at the end. And having kings around, it's a really great thing. And how have they settled into London? Have they enjoyed it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They really settled in well. I think in the beginning it was a bit difficult because it was a big move for them. New school, new house, new environment, new language.

And I think they are still struggling a little bit with the language barrier. But when we just came back from France to London, actually all of them were saying like, oh, it's good to be back home. And I said, that's a good one. How do you feel about that? Yeah, I was proud.

Because as I said, that's a big move as a family. But I think they settled in well. And we felt, again, warm welcome in the club and everyone was supporting us. And I think I can say now we feel home, which is a really nice feeling. That's wonderful to hear. Congratulations on a brilliant start and good luck. Thank you so much. Thank you for coming on again as well. Thanks.

I feel almost silly saying good luck for the rest of the season because she absolutely does not need luck. They are so well drilled. They're so well organised. She's so clear in her messaging as well, Ellen. She just seems to have got almost everything right, apart from one result that clearly bugs her. Yeah. She'll get her boots back on, Jen. I'd love to.

What a great manager to kind of work under. I think she's so direct but honest, and I think that's so important, especially, I think, for females as well, to know exactly where you stand but also where she stands. And I think as well having that environment and having those kids there to be able to have that balance is so lovely to have um and I think you know she's coming to this role and it's you know she's it's been phenomenal to watch the team play um the dynamics of the team um the goals they're scoring and obviously yeah

she's a perfectionist so that would annoy her wouldn't it getting that draw but I just think that she probably looks at it goes right we've done this done this we need to do this this and this and right we move on now and this is this is where we look this is where we're going from now on and I think going away and for that warm weather training they did at Christmas I think I think it it was probably really important for that team to to get that togetherness back after a little break but yeah they've had such a great start and it'll be really interesting to see um this this second half of the season I could listen to her talk all day to be honest I really loved that interview but it was it was again you know she just talks about so

many incredible things when it comes to players and even herself as a manager you know being able to switch between Sonia the manager manager, Sonia, the coach, and Sonia, the actual human being. And I think that's something that we all say as players, you know, we're going to make mistakes, you know, understand us as humans. Manager doesn't understand me. It's like, but it has to happen the flip side as well. I think as soon as a manager shows vulnerability, not even vulnerability, but just a human aspect that I'm going to make mistakes as well and don't judge me for it I might not get everything right all the time and I think that's something that

I think maybe more managers need to show because as soon as you can start like going for them if they don't um but I think she she does that seems to do that really well and with her players and kind of understanding you know she's a mum she's a human being she's been there done it at the top level but she'll tell you exactly what she needs when she needs to put on her managerial hat but no it's one of those managers that when when you listen to them speak you'd love to see the day in day out of what they actually do and I think again when she talks about you know the sort of detail going into games and the time spent doing that, going and prepping players to go and step on the field, because when you watch this Chelsea team,

they do look filled with confidence and the confidence she's right. It does come from your manager. Of course, it can come from you, but a lot does come from your manager. If you're going into a game knowing full well what you need to do, what the plan is, you know exactly A, B and C plan. If things go right, things go wrong. It feels like she spends a lot of time doing that. And you're seeing it.

The amount of success that they've had in this first half of the season, breaking records that we've not seen, I think, since 2017 in terms of points being taken by a top team at this point. You know, it's only a drop two points going into Christmas is unbelievable. And we talk about how competitive this league is, but then you've still got Chelsea kind of running away with it already. Goes to show how well they've done

and the ambition they've done with getting a manager like Sonia Bonpastor, who's been there, done it, won everything. And still the names in the headlines now to kind of still go on and progress and get better just shows that what the club's trying to do and how rare is it to find someone like that in football because if you think about it over the course of your career maybe you'll have anywhere between 10 and 20 managers

tops right how rare is it to find someone that can genuinely do that balance of, you know that they are the authority and when they talk, you listen. But at the same time, the moment the session's over, they can flip into either mum mode or they can flip into, okay, I'm the person that you can approach to talk to and actually have a conversation with as well. I think it's very rare.

Off the top of my head, I'd say Serena Vigman is one of them. Mo Marley, I would say, is one of them. It sounds like Sonia Bombastor is one of them. And it is quite rare to be able to have a manager that is okay with being both a coach, a human being, and be able to have a communication and talk on a level and just be normal. It's okay to have a bit of a on a level and just be normal it's okay to

have a bit of a laugh when you're not on the training pitch or if you're on the train but you're not actually training I think just having that right balance is so important and I think then that breeds into your team so they know exactly right we're in game mode here we're in training mode we work so hard for each other the coach is saying exactly what to do and she is our coach and then off the pitch we can have a bit of a laugh we can be normal because that's what you do when you go home you have conversation with your family your friends you see these people more more than you see your own friends and family so you have to have that family type environment so you've got to have you've got to be able to go up and just say oh how's your

family how's your kids like what are you doing like have a bit of a laugh and a bit of downtime because it is mentally draining if you're just that one person and you cannot go and be normal and have a conversation it must be so mentally draining not to be able to do that as a player but also as a coach just to be one dimension must be a lot to be able to do that. So I think it's credit to her being able to do that. I've played with some managers as well that it's OK to change what they do, though, I think, as well. If you think from a player's perspective, Ells, right, you weren't the same player. You didn't have the same processes when you retired than you did in your mid-20s or early 20s, right? And I think a lot of

managers are still like developing their style and it's sometimes you're just in that season where they do something different because I've worked with managers that they'd openly admit you know they were not too close that's the wrong way but maybe too relaxed and then found it really hard to make managerial hard decisions with players they've built up like a personal bond with um if they do sort of get too relaxed within that sort of side of stuff but i think it's it's important for us to understand that managers are on a journey as well and they're going to change and develop based on what they've learned and also based on the group they have they might have a group at that time like she's

obviously really confident with the group she's got that she can do that she can beat you hard and she can be tough and then take her managerial hat on and really make those big decisions. But I think managers are changing and developing as well. And I think that's OK. They're on their own journey with what they think is right at that time, the same way we were as players. Chelsea are absolutely flying at the moment. No small part down to Sonia Bompas' store.

But this weekend, they'll welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in the WSL. And I think what's going to be a near sellout at the time of recording, I think it's nearly sold out at Stamford Bridge, which is fantastic to see once again. But we haven't even had a chance on the pod to talk about René Slager as being made permanent head coach at Arsenal. Jen, you had a bit of time around North London last week. What's the general vibe around the place?

Everyone's happy everyone's you know excited with the sort of form they're in and picking up points and really sort of grow momentum and I think it's that consistency that the team probably needed but I will say that like it might have looked like you know why didn't they do it earlier or why didn't they announce it earlier but I think you know the club still made this a global thing and looked at everywhere and Renee was still the standout candidate that that you know was awarded the job and and deservedly so I think the girls have really appreciated what she's done since coming in and they seem to be in a flow and really performing and you know five nothing at the weekend against Crystal Palace is a great way to move into to that Chelsea game having you know missed the FA Cup and not got the ball rolling after Christmas so it feels like everyone's

really happy with the decision and just ready for that to be solidified in order to really push on to this next half of the season. I think it's credit to Arsenal credit to Renée Slaggers for what she's done and how calm she's been in the role. And for her to kind of really kind of stamp her authority, I think they obviously did their work, like Jen said, of looking everywhere. And obviously, you know, as an organisation, you've got to obviously want the best for Arsenal Football Club and the women in particular.

Obviously, you want the best coach at this moment in time, winning trophies, leagues, Champions Leagues, and obviously that's where they want to be in the future. And she's done phenomenally well. And I think definitely what Jen said about that consistency, the players look like happy and enjoying their football. And the style in which they're playing suits the players that are on that pitch.

And I think that's really important for where they are at the moment. And it's going to be a really, really interesting game at the weekend v Chelsea. Because if they get that win, it just bumps off that, you know, obviously another three points closer to potentially Chelsea,

but obviously Chelsea are doing very well at the same time. Chelsea against Arsenal will be live on Sunday, BBC Two from 12 o'clock, kick-off 12.30. Let's just take a look elsewhere in the WSL. A massive result for Man United against Man City in the derby. They won 4-2. And a hat-trick for Ellertoon as part of that.

We'll touch on both sides of this one, but Jen, I know you were really, really impressed with Ellertoon. I was, yeah. What a derby. It was unbelievable to watch. I was covering the game, but I think just as players, you know,

when you know when someone's gone through again something really difficult, she's had an injury and a family loss, and never scored in a derby also. I didn't even know

that going in to watch the game. To get a hat-trick, having gone through something as difficult as that, I know she got minutes leading into the game, but

to just see how much it meant and see how much it meant to as difficult as that. I know she got minutes leading into the game, but to just see how much it meant and see how much it meant to her teammates as well. And I think Jay-Z's going through a really tough time as well. So they seem like a really together group. And honestly, the way that they started the game was unbelievable. I think they really felt that Man City were there for the taking with the injuries and the kind of, even the stuff that was in the media pre-game,

there was so much happening around this one derby um but no I thought I thought she was brilliant it was great to see her start for for that team again and get a hat trick was unbelievable but what a game it was I can't I couldn't take my eyes off it okay the other side of it Ellen City fans I'm sure not not particularly happy no god it was absolutely mental, this game. Yeah, I think, yeah, a lot of frustration, obviously, for City. And I think, obviously, conceding three goals.

I think when I looked at the clock, it was like 36 minutes and it was like 3-0 down. And obviously, quite a few of their goals, it could have been better defending. I think, for me, it was poor decision-making and execution of kind of basic actions because City aren't going to change the way they play the way that the philosophy obviously wanting to play out the back so I think for me it was just kind of they were just off it

slightly and I think you got good credit obviously to Man United with the way they pressed they were hungry they were competitive they're passionate the intensity from the first whistle in the first half to the first whistle in the second it was just crazy um and i think you know in terms of kind of kiara keating for instance the goalkeeper i do feel a bit sorry for her especially on ella toon's second goal where she kind of played it to a habit on her right foot she wants to play with her right foot and she tries to go with her left foot and obviously gets intercepted by Bizer. Then Ella scores and she's doing the right thing, Chiara.

She's, you know, this is the way City play out. And then obviously the third goal straight from kickoff. It's very weird to play it straight back to your goalie, I thought. It's just a very odd thing to do. And obviously then both players are kind of absolutely kind of sprinting her down and obviously you know it comes off Terlan and Ella scores so it's just a few odd things that were happening in the game and obviously you can't concede four goals at home as well. Yeah really really tough one to take for City and it leaves the table in a really interesting position as

well Chelsea lead the way of course on 31 points Arsenal second on 24 so a massive game at Stamford Bridge and then it's United in third on 24 and City then in fourth on 22 and that is where we're going to leave it on the pod this week

thank you so much to Ellen and to Jen and congratulations again Jen on your retirement I can't wait to see all of the amazing work that you do now in broadcasting

please don't leave us on the next episode of the Football Daily, it's Kelly Cates with the Champions League debrief. We'll see you all again next time.