The FA
The Chelsea head coach is looking forward to stepping out at Wembley once again
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor is no stranger to Wembley, having graced the national stadium as a player over a decade ago with France in the semi-final of the 2012 Olympics.
On Sunday, she returns as a manager as the former midfielder prepares to take to the dugout in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final with the Blues.
But the thought of reaching this season’s showpiece has been far from the 44 year old’s mind until her side secured their place in the Final with a 2-1 win over Liverpool, courtesy of Aggie Beever-Jones’ late decider last month.
Chelsea v Manchester United
The Adobe Women's FA Cup Final
1.30pm BST, Saturday 18 May 2025
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
“I’m really excited to be at Wembley, with the chance to play for a trophy that has so much history attached to it, and for us to try and finish what has been an incredible season by winning the treble,” said Bompastor.
The FA
Bompastor with Chelsea skipper Millie Bright
“I actually didn’t want to think about Wembley at all during this Cup run until we beat Liverpool in the semi-finals, because I’m quite superstitious like that. Yet once we won that game, I started to think about what an honour it would be to lead a team out at a stadium that means a lot in the football world, not just here in England.
“I was lucky enough to play here for France during the Olympics in 2012, and now I’m back as a manager, and it feels like a huge opportunity for all of us at Chelsea. To play in a final at Wembley is something that might only happen once in your life, so you need to be happy about that.
“But once the game starts, you don’t think about any of that. The only thing that we will be focused on is how we can beat a really strong Manchester United team to make sure that we are the ones lifting that trophy at the end of the game.”
Sonia Bompastor is ready for her #AdobeWomensFACup debut in charge of @ChelseaFCW 🔵 pic.twitter.com/KqyHRbI228
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) January 12, 2025
In her first season as the Chelsea head coach, Bompastor – who replaced the outgoing Emma Hayes in May last year, swapping Lyon for London – has made history as the Blues went without defeat across the 2024-25 league campaign to secure the title.
Now, it’s time to write the final chapter in Chelsea’s campaign and the head coach is determined to sign off on a high.
“We will come here today with a lot of belief, after achieving two of our big objectives this season by winning the BWSL and also the League Cup, and we want to make sure we finish in the right way by winning more silverware,” added Bompastor.
The FA
The Chelsea head coach with the WSL trophy
“I know some people have said it has been an easy season for us but, for me, that has not been the reality. It was tough to come into a new club, a new league and a new language, but everyone at the club has done such a wonderful job to help with this transition period for Chelsea, after 12 years of big success under Emma Hayes.”
The Blues will need one final push to complete their treble with the FA Cup and the stage is set at Wembley between Chelsea and Manchester United.
“Everyone has put everything into this season,” emphasised Bompastor. “I think back to the early months and all that time spent with the staff making sure they understood my game model, how I wanted to work every day in the building, what type of environment I wanted, and then getting it across to the squad. That takes a lot of time and energy.
“But everyone bought into it, the players have been incredible, and that hard work always feels like it’s worth it when you’re lifting trophies. I’m so proud of everyone.”