Chelsea boss and incoming USWNT coach Emma Hayes admitted to "lessons learned" but offered no apology when questioned about her clash with Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall at last month's Women's League Cup final.
Hayes appeared to shove Eidevall after Chelsea's 1-0 defeat following a touchline altercation involving Chelsea player Erin Cuthbert during the game, and Hayes later accused Eidevall of "male aggression," language which Eidevall deemed "irresponsible."
"I am not down for male aggression on the touchline. I told him this," said Hayes at the time, who argued that Eidevall should have been sent off after "the way he fronted up to Erin."
Eidevall said he "did not see it as a big thing" but disputed Hayes' comments.
"I don't see me as aggressive. She is irresponsible putting that label on it," he said.
Hayes was questioned about the incident at a news conference ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, and responded by sharing a conversation with her son.
"My son said to me after the game, 'Mummy when you push someone in school, you're asked to go and take time out,' and I said to him, 'You know, darling, you can't meet aggression with aggression.'"
"All you can do is tell the teacher. All you can do is go and explain to the teacher why you think something's unfair. I said, even if the players go to the teacher, even if the parents go to the teacher, that's all you can do."
"You cannot meet aggression with aggression, and I thought it was a really good conversation to have with my son after the final."
Asked if she regretted her comments, Hayes quoted Robert Frost's poem "Choose Something like a Star."
"So when at times, the mob is swayed, to carry praise or blame too far, we may choose somewhere like a star to stay our minds on and be staid," she quoted.
"I've had a fantastic break [in the weeks since the final]. I've already explained an important analogy that I shared with my son and the lessons learned from it. My focus is on moving forward, and I've had time to look at my star."
Asked about Eidevall's comments, Hayes said "I don't have an opinion. I said everything I need to and done the reflections that are important. I think we need to focus on the game on the weekend. That's the important point and we need to move past that."
"Of course it's not right to meet aggression with aggression. I can only control my own behaviours, and I've reflected on that."
"Next time, I just need to listen to my son's advice and I need to go with the teacher if I've got anything to say."
