It’s interesting how life sometimes takes a poetic twist. Take Ella Masar, for instance, who years ago, used to shine as a top-level player in European women’s soccer landscape. Rewind over a decade, and you’ll find the former versatile attacker and defender playing for the Chicago Red Stars. What makes that chapter significant is that Masar was drafted by none other than Emma Hayes. Fast forward to today, and the same English tactician, now leading the USWNT, has welcomed her former player into her coaching staff, which also led Ella to tread a new path in NWSL.
To recall, the former VfL Wolfsburg player had joined the U.S. Women’s National Team’s coaching staff just for the ongoing April camp, where they faced Brazil in a doubleheader. However, after the end of the window, she’ll return to the Chicago Red Stars as an assistant coach. This transition led Masar to reflect on her journey—how far she’s come in her soccer career, first as a player and now as someone helping to lead a team.
“I think it’s just a full-circle moment,” Masar began while speaking to the club at their home ground. “I mean we’re standing in SeatGeek right now and Emma [Hayes] was down here coaching me, what is it 2008, 2009?” Part of the credit goes to Hayes for putting her faith in the 38-year-old. After all, royalty and loyalty are part of the English manager’s traits. Like keeping fellow assistant coach Denise with her for over 12 years is a testament to that.
Once drafted by Emma Hayes, now learning from her with the @USWNT. Ella’s story keeps coming full circle. pic.twitter.com/NFLXoBObni
— Chicago Stars FC (@theChicagoStars) April 5, 2025
Now having joined Hayes and Co.’s backroom staff, Masar knows she’ll be doing a lot of “Yes ma’am, uh huh, I understand.” But that, she believes, is part of the process—one that will not only deepen her understanding of the coaching of a “highest-functioning environment” but also teach her life lessons from someone like Emma, who’s learned them all firsthand.
“I’m excited to learn and it’s not only that, but to see her as a mom in this environment for me, I understand sometimes it’s mom guilt and work guilt,” explained the former Paris Saint-Germain star, who is keen to learn the essence of work-life balance that Hayes has been able to master.
Well, that is true; after clocking out from her working hours, the former Chelsea boss turns off her coaching mind and takes the role of a mother for her son Ben and also becomes a responsible daughter for her mother. This is one of the takeaways that Masar wishes to implement in her own life. Speaking of which, this reminds us why exactly Ella desires to learn this specific trait of Hayes!
Ella Sears wishes to learn the ‘whole picture’ that Emma Hayes has mastered!
Chicago Red Stars’ assistant coach recently shared a heartwarming update about her personal life. For some time, Masar and her partner, former German international Babett Peter, had been navigating a legal battle surrounding the adoption of their child. But now, there’s finally good news. Masar earlier took to social media to share a carousel of touching photos, officially introducing their adopted son.
In a heartfelt caption, she wrote: “After a lot of moving pieces, paperwork needed from 3 different countries, and time, the Masar-Peter family is finally one. March 4th, will forever be our day when we made it official that no one can take away the bond or rights of MOTHERS to their sons.”
To recall, it was also NWSL that Masar had returned from her maternity leave around June. But one cannot deny how hard it must have been for her to balance both motherhood and a new soccer role. This is exactly one aspect that Emma Hayes can help her former disciple master.
“To see how she balances that [off-pitch life as a mother]… for me, it’s the respective thing. You’re not only a great coach, how to win but how to balance the whole picture. That is gonna be a huge learning moment for me as well,” concluded the former Houston Dash star.
Clearly, Ella Masar is keen to take full advantage of the time she is spending with Emma Hayes. Let’s see how it unfolds until the time being.
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