The Chelsea manager, who has now completed her seventh season at Chelsea, guided the Blues to a brilliant unbeaten domestic campaign of 12 victories and three draws.Following the termination of the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chelsea’s fine form was rewarded when the FA declared the Blues as the 2019/20 Women’s Super League champions, based on a points-per-game system.Hayes and her Chelsea side added another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet as we defeated Arsenal 2-1 to clinch the Continental Tyres League Cup in February, and this game turned out to be our final game of the season before the country went into lockdown.The Blues boss was decided as the winner by her fellow Women’s Super League managers (facilitated by the LMA), a panel of women’s football experts and a public vote on social media.She beat off competition from Nick Cushing (Manchester City), Willie Kirk (Everton), Karen Hill/ Juan Amoros (Tottenham Hotspur) and Casey Stoney (Manchester United).This is her fourth individual WSL accolade this campaign having been the recipient of three Manager of the Month awards in October, January and February.Upon receiving the honour, Hayes said: ‘I just want to say a big thank you to all of my staff for the contributions this season.‘This trophy is about the whole group and a big thank you to the players for stepping up another level and thanks once again to our fans for being the best in the world.’

England has been a standout player in 2019/20 having netted 21 goals in all competitions, with 14 of them being in the Women’s Super League.

The Chelsea forward has consistently delivered on the pitch and was an integral part of our title-winning season. She scored in 10 out of 15 league games, in eight consecutive outings since November, and also netted both goals in our Continental Tyres League Cup final triumph.There have been plenty of England’s goals that grabbed the headlines this term; including her left-footed wonder-strike against Tottenham Hotspur in our league opener at Stamford Bridge, her stunner from the edge of the box at Arsenal and her 30-yard rocket in the 3-3 draw away to Manchester City.

The 26-year-old, who has enjoyed an outstanding season, was thrilled to receive the award and said: ‘I would like to give a special thanks to all the fans for voting for me online. It’s greatly appreciated and means a lot to me.‘I would also like to dedicate this award to my team-mates, without them I would not have been able to have the season I have had.‘This is for all the team, all the staff and all the fans that went through with us this year.’The Blues top scorer was voted as the Player of the Season by fans on social media and a panel of women’s football experts. She beat team-mate Guro Reiten, Lauren Hemp (Manchester City) Chloe Kelly (Everton, now at Manchester City) and Miedema (Arsenal) to receive the yearly honour.The No.9 started in all 15 Women’s Super League fixtures and her individual efforts had been recognised throughout the season as she won the WSL monthly award twice in January and February, as well as the PFA Bristol Street Motor fans’ Player of the Month award at the start of the year.