Emma Hayes will take a step away from managing Chelsea Women as she recovers from emergency hysterectomy surgery.
In a statement released on Thursday, Hayes revealed she underwent surgery last week as part of her ongoing battle with endometriosis.
Hayes 'needs time and patience' in her recovery and she has confirmed that Denise Reddy will make on-field decisions in her absence, assisted by Paul Green.
'I'm now in recovery and will need time and patience to return to full health,' her statement read.
'I just want to say thank you also to my amazing doctors, Dr Alex Laurence and Dr Sally Harris for their outstanding care.