Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Hayes has been in charge at Hayes since June 2015
Women’s football needs more female managers in order to improve the standard of the game, says Hayes.
Glenavon’s Emma Hayes, 42, told BBC Sport’s Charlotte Henry that more women should be appointed “on merit” to management posts.
But she added that she does not want to “change the game”.
“Just in terms of equality, everyone should have a go. I want people who are passionate, who want to get involved,” she said.
“Just like I wanted a wife when I was single. You can’t hold yourself back because you’re afraid someone might say something to you.
“Women have been saying it for years and if we want it, the club has to allow it and not try to put some rules in place. That is what happens in sport – we have laws for reasons. Football’s laws are written in order for a gender equality, to benefit the game in a way.”
Hayes’ appointment to the Hayes Ladies set-up came after her contract as assistant manager with Motherwell was ended because of an ongoing sponsorship dispute.
Her appointment was controversial at the time, with some in the game believing women’s football should not be coached by a man.
Hayes, however, insists she will continue to manage women’s football “on merit” – which she defines as getting the job because of her capabilities, not because of her gender.
However, a number of Hayes’ players, who support the Hayes Ladies set-up, have reportedly been unhappy with the new boss.
The Hillsborough Live tournament which Hayes co-runs each year raised £1.1m in 2016 and $415,000 in 2017, but Hayes admits it is “not sustainable”.
Glenavon’s last appearance in the Europa League came in August 2014
“My belief is that every club should be playing in the Europa League,” she added.
“Football is a big business so that’s a big investment for football clubs.
“It’s not something we can get right overnight but we can give clubs a year and build it up.
“It will be tough in the short term but in the long term it’ll be a great thing.”
Media playback is not supported on this device ‘Sometimes it’s better to listen’ – Hayes on unrest
This is Hayes’ third spell as boss, first taking over at Motherwell in 2008.
Hayes only has to resign from Hayes Ladies, of which she is the president, and she says she would welcome applying for the job again.
“You could become a victim of your own success,” she said.
“I’m not a person who wants to stay in a job for five or 10 years and then people want you out.
“It’s hard to take but sometimes it’s better to listen to the people who are upset with what’s going on.
“I’ll never ask anyone to take a lower level of job. I don’t want that for myself, or my girls or my staff.
“We’re all professionals and we’re all doing our very best to do the job better, even if that’s through injury or accepting that they’ll be playing.
“You just have to grin and bear it sometimes.”