Hayes went from Chelsea to the USWNT in the summer and guided the nation to Olympic gold, as they beat Brazil in the final thanks to a Mallory Swanson goal. The USWNT needed extra time to beat both Japan and Germany in the knockout stages but were able to see off Brazil within 90 minutes.

Hayes has revealed that she sees a lot of herself in Ferguson, a manager whom she admires greatly and who she has referenced repeatedly in her new book. Within that, she has confirmed that the former Manchester United manager was one of the first people to contact her after she won gold with her new charges.

Writing in her book, via the Telegraph, she said: "I see so much of myself in him. His was the first text I received when we won gold."

Reflecting on the win, she has revealed it was the "pinnacle" of her career, and added: “I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it. I fill up every time. I have dreamt about it. I have played that out on the pitches by the flats in Camden (where she grew up).”

The USWNT are next in action in October and will take on Iceland twice in quick succession, on October 25 and October 27.