The Republic of Ireland have appointed former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward as their new manager following the country's failure to qualify for Euro 2025.
The appointment follows a turbulent period for Ireland, after failing to qualify for this summer's Euros. A 2-1 aggregate defeat to Wales in the play-off finals was enough to send a smoke signal to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), who decided not to renew former manager Gleeson's contract.
The former Aston Villa manager has signed a deal that will see her in charge of Ireland until the end of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
90 min breaks down everything you need to know about Ireland's new manager…
The era of Carla Ward has officially begun. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/XviKPCW1I5
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) January 15, 2025
The girls in green will be hoping this is sustainable, having bid farewell to former coach Gleeson after just one year in charge. Gleeson took over after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup when former coach Vera de Pauw was relieved of her duties.
Controversy surrounded de Pauw after her reported involvement in a misconduct scandal that occurred during her time with NWSL team the Houston Dash. In partnership with a rumored 'busy' with Ireland captain Katie McCabe, the FAI decided not to renew de Pauw's contract after the conclusion of the Australia and New Zealand tour.
Ireland are now set to enter a whole new era as Ward walks through the doors. The 41-year-old comes with a wealth of experience in the women's game, as well as glowing reviews from her former players.
Before entering the field, Ward was once a player who wore the shirt of several English clubs throughout her career. Sheffield FC where she plied her trade for the longest time, surpassing 200 appearances and 100 goals during her time as club captain.
Ward then began her coaching career at Sheffield United, where she signed as assistant manager in 2017. She was given the permanent role of manager in 2018, managing the team for two seasons before her eventual departure in 2020.
The 41-year-old then spent a season in charge of Birmingham City, where the club narrowly escaped relegation. WSL after an 11th place. Despite the lowly finish, Ward was named on the WSL manager of the season shortlist after a torrid campaign with the club. Players and staff lodged formal complaints with the club's board, claiming the facilities provided did not allow them to perform at their best.
It was in the summer of 2021 that Ward signed for Aston Villa, where he stayed for three seasons. The boss guided the Villans to a fifth-place finish in 2022/23 – a campaign which saw starlet Rachel Daly pick up the Golden Boot award.
It was at the end of the 2023/24 season that Ward announced her departure from the Birmingham club, citing her desire to take a momentary step away from the chaos.
Less than a year later, and Ward will embark on a brand new journey with the Republic of Ireland.
The new manager will be provided with some top quality helping hands as former Republic of Ireland player Alan Mahon has signed as the new assistant coach. Mahon joins the Ireland ranks after spending the last 10 years with Barclays Women's Super League (WSL) giants Manchester City.
Former Arsenal legend Emma Byrne will also remain as goalkeeping coach after joining the staff following Gleeson's arrival.
Ward will make her Ireland managerial debut when the Girls in Green take on Turkey in the UEFA Women's Nations League on February 21 at Dublin's Tallaght Stadium.
Following her departure from Aston Villa in May 2024, Ward described the decision as one that was made “to prioritize other important things – like my daughter and the rest of my family life”.
Speaking exclusively about 90 min in NovemberWard expressed the difficulties of balancing motherhood and full-time coaching.
“I probably didn't realize how exhausted I was from it all and trying to be a single mom while doing that job was almost impossible,” Ward said. 90 min.
After spending time at the Paris Olympics as a member of Emma Hayes' USWNT staff, Ward described how the international structure works brilliantly to support motherhood in training. “When you're in the international organization, you pretty much have everything as you would every day,” Ward said.
– said the manager 90 min that she would “love to go international coaching”, making her move to Ireland one we should have seen coming. She is not the first female coach to make the move from club to state, with Emma Hayes, Tanya Oxtoby and Casey Stoney all making the move in the last year.