The exhaustion had hit Hayes seven months earlier than when she introduced her departure, and it has been an extended goodbye.
At Outdated Trafford she appeared to soak up each minute, responding to prompts from followers asking what the rating was by placing up her hand to sign their 5-0 lead.
She set free a roar of celebration when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd made it 2-0 inside eight minutes and inspired noise from her supporters when information of Aston Villa’s equaliser towards Manchester Metropolis got here by means of.
She even had time to soak up the magnitude of her achievements, with this newest trophy her 14th in an illustrious Chelsea profession.
“I did spend time within the second half trying on the Sir Alex Ferguson stand, the 27 years, the amount of trophies, the quotes across the stadium, the historical past,” mentioned Hayes.
“I missed my drink with Sir Alex afterwards. He was ready for me and I’m completely gutted. He rang me earlier than I got here in [for the media conference].
“I’m sorry Sir Alex, I used to be actually trying ahead to that cup of purple wine.”
The entire afternoon in Manchester felt like one massive celebration, not only for Hayes, however for the success of the membership previously decade.
Legendary ahead Fran Kirby got here off the bench to attain the ultimate purpose – a becoming finish to her Chelsea profession.
The away followers chanted “champions of England, 5 occasions in a row, you’ll by no means sing that” because the minutes ticked away and Hayes would lookup and smile.
When the whistle ultimately went and gamers sprinted previous her to have fun, captain Millie Vivid ran the opposite manner, leaping up and embracing her supervisor.
Minutes later, Hayes would get pushed in direction of the followers by USA striker Catarina Macario, urging her to take the plaudits.
Hayes, embarrassed, did so reluctantly however pointed to the badge on her shirt and waved her arms within the air.
“You’ll be able to inform Cat [Macario] is the American as she’s not afraid of that. I’m British!” mentioned Hayes.
“If I wasn’t a soccer supervisor that needed to do a press convention each three days, I’m that particular person in a social circle that sits within the nook.
“I discover a few of this job actually arduous as I simply desire a quiet life. That’s one of many issues I’m most trying ahead to.”
On the opposite facet of the pitch, Manchester United paraded the FA Cup they received the earlier week, however this was not their second.
This was Hayes’ fairytale ending and he or she lifted the trophy with Vivid earlier than heading down the tunnel to take that telephone name from Ferguson.
It was the proper ending to a singular story and was simply reward for Chelsea’s persistence in a season that threw up limitless challenges.
“That’s why that is the very best title. We’re not silly, we all know we weren’t at our greatest,” added Hayes.
“I’m sorry, however I don’t assume you guys realise how arduous it’s to win and win and win.
“We’ve performed considerably extra video games during the last 5 years and I believe it took its toll on our senior gamers.
“I virtually can’t imagine we’ve received the title, I can’t imagine it.”