Laura Woods Reacts To AFC Wimbledon 'Considering' Appointment Of Chelsea Women’s Boss Emma Hayes

Football presenter Laura Woods has backed "trailblazer" Emma Hayes to become AFC Wimbledon manager as she hailed the Chelsea women's boss as "brilliant in whatever she does."

Hayes, 44, has enjoyed considerable success with Chelsea since she was appointed women's head coach in 2012.

Hayes has lifted the Women's Super League title three times as manager, along with two FA Cups and the League Cup.

Hayes would make history as the first woman to take charge of a men's football league side should she become AFC Wimbledon boss.

The 33-year-old Sky Sports presenter explained: "I think the thing with this you have to keep in context is she's a trailblazer anyway and she's inspiring young female coaches everywhere, if she's the right person for the job she'll probably get it and take it.

"I feel like with Emma gender is irrelevant because she is just brilliant in her own right.

"I've worked with her a lot on Sky: she's come in and done punditry with us as well and I'm always really impressed by her and enjoy listening to her.

"Off-screen as well, listening to the way she is, she has a real forensic fascination with tactics and all that stuff behind closed doors with her players and I always find it interesting to listen to.

"Why would she want to leave Chelsea? The longevity as well is not easy to come by as we all know.

"She's so, so successful there it might be that she wants the next step up as she's ambitious.

"If that's what she wants to go for, then allow her to 100 per cent, she'll be brilliant in whatever she does.

"That's gender irrelevant because she is a brilliant coach, brilliant character as well to be around and if you're talking about somebody who can manage personalities then I think she's got that in her locker.

"She'll just want to say, 'There's a job opening there, I want to go for it, I want to have a level platform with everyone else that goes for that job, and if I'm the right person for that job, then I'll get it and take it.'

"If she gets it, brilliant for her."

Ex-Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley and former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Reid are amongst the other names tipped by bookies.