‘My family are a big inspiration – we love to talk about the game’, says Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor
THE support of her retired football referee father has been an inspiration for Sonia Bompastor during her rise to the top of the game.
The Chelsea chief’s dad was watching from the Stamford Bridge stands, as she guided her side to wins against Manchester City and Celtic.
Both matches, played last Sunday and on Wednesday, led the Blues to extend their winning streak to 11 games under their boss.
Results that pushed them to the WSL’s summit before a 12 midday clash with Manchester United today, and secured their place in the Champions League knockout stage.
Bompastor, 44, said: “I know even when he’s back at home he’s watching the games and I really appreciate talking with him about football.
“My family is a big inspiration and they have always been supporting me. We love to talk about the game
“My Dad was so happy to come (over here) to watch the Manchester City game, the Celtic game and he sometimes talks about tactics.
“He pretends he knows a lot! And I’m like, ‘yes I’m listening’.
Bompastor’s father Joaquim, who was born in Portugal, officiated amateur level games in France for more than 30 years before hanging up his whistle.
Playing football from the age of six with him and her brother put Bompastor on a path that would later lead her to multiple trophy wins as a player and women’s team head coach at her old club Lyon.
The former defender, who began her Chelsea managerial role in July, says her father had a knack for honing in on the small details of a game.
And a referees’ performance is one aspect he keeps a close eye on.
Bompastor, who steered Lyon to seven major trophies including a 2022 Champions League title, added “We are all passionate (about football).
“It’s the common thing we have in our family. That’s what brings us together.
“When he comes to a game the first thing he does is watch the referee’s performance.”
Today Chelsea play their third home match in eight days when they host Marc Skinner’s Man United at Kingsmeadow.
Both sides are the only two teams currently unbeaten in the WSL this term after seven games played with both winning in their last league outings.
We’re at the top of the table which is the main goal, but if you think that’s enough at the moment, you will drop some points
Sonia Bompastor
However three draws from their last four top-flight games has seen United drop six points off the leaders with Skinner coming under pressure from some Red Devils fans.
While United will be without Ella Toone and possibly Elisabeth Terland, due to injury, Bompastor is mindful of the other attacking threats
Players includes Rachel Williams and ex-Lyon forward Melvine Malard.
The Blues chief said: “They have some other good players like Melvine.
“I know Melvine and since she joined Manchester United (from Lyon) she’s been on fire (for them).
“They also have Rachel Williams who might be starting.
“She’s a player we know really well here at Chelsea so we are prepared for that.
“She’s good with the ball technically, strong in the air and a really athletic player.”
While their opponents are six points off them, Bompastor believes the Red Devils are still a threat in the race for the title.
And she has no intention of underestimating her rivals.
She adds: “We still have a lot of games to play. Everyone is still in the (title) race.
“We’re at the top of the table which is the main goal, but if you think that’s enough at the moment, you will drop some points and won’t be focused.
“We need to keep the right mentality, work hard and make sure that in every game we take things game by game.
“We want to put all the ingredients together to get a good performance.”
Having worked as an academy director for eight years at Lyon from 2013 after retiring as a player, Bompastor is keen to bring more promising young talents rise through the Blues ranks.
Chelsea’s win against Celtic included the head coach handing a debut to Lola Brown who came on as a 86th-minute substitute.
The 17-year-old, who plays in midfield, is among two teenagers who have featured for Chelsea in the Champions League this season.
Wieke Kaptein, 19, who joined the Blues last summer before being loaned back to her old club FC Twente for one season, has made nine appearances in Europe and the WSL this term.
Bompastor said: “I know my main job is to make sure we perform, get great results and we win titles.
“But I’m also really focused on developing the players, especially the young ones.
“That’s something really important to have in Chelsea’s squad – young players being developed by the coaches and by me.
“It’s enjoyable to work with young players when they have the talent.”