Carla Ward has been appointed as the new head coach of the Republic of Ireland women's national team, taking over from Eileen Gleeson with immediate effect. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed Ward will lead the country through the 2027 World Cup campaign.
The 41-year-old former Aston Villa manager brings significant experience to the role, including her recent stint as part of the United States' management team that secured gold at the 2023 Paris Olympics. Her coaching journey also includes successful tenures at Sheffield United and Birmingham City.
Ward expressed her enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, "This is an unbelievable opportunity, not just with the national team but in helping to add to the fantastic work being done to develop women and girls' football." Her immediate focus will be on the upcoming UEFA Nations League opener against Turkey, scheduled for February 21 at Tallaght Stadium.
The Isle of Wight-born coach inherits a team that recently missed out on qualification for Euro 2025 following a defeat to Wales in last month's play-off. However, the Irish team has shown promise, having reached their first major tournament at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Ward's coaching staff includes former Republic of Ireland men's international Alan Mahon as assistant manager, who brings a wealth of experience from his decade-long tenure as assistant manager at Manchester City. Emma Byrne will continue in her role as goalkeeping coach, maintaining some continuity from the previous management setup.
FAI chief football officer Marc Canham praised Ward's appointment, highlighting her "passion, commitment and skillset" as key factors in their decision. Meanwhile, FAI chief executive David Courell emphasized Ward's capability to achieve their ambition of qualifying for major tournaments, citing her "perfect blend of expertise and experience."
The appointment marks a new chapter for Irish women's football, with Ward taking charge at a crucial time as the team aims to build on their recent World Cup appearance and establish themselves as regular contenders in major international competitions.
