Manager Emma Hayes celebrates leading Chelsea to their fourth WSL title on the bounce [Tom Phillips/SPP]

CAMDEN’S own Emma Hayes added two more gongs to her trophy cabinet this week as she followed up a fourth Women’s Super League title on the bounce with the WSL manager of the year crown.

With a book on leadership due out, a reputation for incisive and entertaining punditry and a trophy-laden 11-year spell as manager of Chelsea, Hayes’ stock is sky high.

It is a far cry from her days as a kid kicking a ball around the Curnock Street Estate in Camden Town and even her early years working in sports development in West Euston and the Bourne Estate.

Yet speaking on the way to the League Managers’ Association awards on Tuesday, the 46-year-old former Parliament Hill School pupil insisted that her feet are firmly on the ground.

“I still have the same mates as I had when I was a kid,” she said. “My best friends are still the people I grew up around football with from 10 years old – they are still the most important people in my life.

“Being grounded is something that matters a lot to me. I don’t think I’ve changed at all and most of my friends say that I haven’t changed and thank god – I don’t want success to change who I am.

“I’m doing a job that I love and I’ve never cared for the fame, I like my job and I like football, and I’m very lucky I’ve been able to combine my love as a job, but my roots and where I’m from matters a whole lot to me.”

Arsenal legend & Hayes’ mentor Vic Akers and her dad Sid saw Chelsea retain the FA Cup in front of a record Wembley crowd

First interviewed for the pages of this newspaper 22 years ago as she boldly swapped north London for America, Hayes came home in 2006 with two titles and as many coach of the year awards to her name.

Teaming up with then-Arsenal manager Vic Akers on her return, she helped lead the Gunners to an as yet unequalled quadruple that included the UEFA Cup trophy.

Hayes has gone on to win 13 major titles under her own name at Chelsea, but family friend and Arsenal legend Akers remains a mentor.

“Vic’s still so instrumental in my life,” she said. “Whenever I want to run my thoughts around dealing with something in coaching or a challenge I might need help with, he’s always there for me.”

Remarkably, Hayes underwent an emergency hysterectomy in the early part of this year’s double-winning season. Little wonder, then, that she now plans to spend her summer break relaxing with family and friends.

“I want to chill out,” she said. “Be a mum, someone’s friend, daughter – not worry about football for five minutes.”

It may only be a short break from the game, however, with a host of her Chelsea stars set to feature in this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Chelsea’s Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles and Lauren James were named in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad set for Australia & New Zealand next month.

Defender Bright will captain the Lionesses in the absence of injured Gunner Leah Williamson. The tournament also comes too soon for teammate and Euro 2022 star Beth Mead, also out with an ACL. Lotte Wubben-Moy is the sole Arsenal representative, while Bethany England from Spurs has also made the cut.

The World Cup kicks off on July 20, with England facing Haiti in their opener in Brisbane two days later. China and Denmark are also in their group.