Ireland's new manager, Carla Ward, has revealed that a managerial role with the Girls in Green was one that she really wanted.
The former Sheffield United, Birmingham City, and Aston Villa manager will lead the WNT through to the end of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign. Ward will take over the WNT with immediate effect ahead of the 2025 UEFA Nations League starting in February.
The 41-year-old has lots of experience in football and could have taken up a chance with another club or international team, and this has been confirmed by Ward, but yesterday while speaking to reporters at her unveiling, Ward revealed there was only one option for her, and that was Ireland.
"I was in talks with another nation, being really honest... I've been very vocal about it; this was the one that I wanted because this is the one I felt in my heart that suited and fit with myself and with how I see things," said Ward to RTE Sport. "I have worked with Irish players before, and this was the one I really wanted. When I got the call to get down to the next stage and then the final stage, I was delighted."
Ireland will now head into the Nations League without two leaders in Dianne Caldwell and Niamh Fahey, both of whom have retired. This leaves Ireland without their leadership, so the onus is on the likes of Louise Quinn and Katie McCabe to bridge that experience gap.
Ward explained that she has spoken to Quinn and has a plan in mind for the coming months.
Get to know Carla Ward, our new Women’s National Team Head Coach 😁👇 pic.twitter.com/B3II8msjQw
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) January 16, 2025
“I called her last night. I am going to be speaking to her today to see where she is at. I couldn’t comment on what she’s planning on doing, but she is obviously important,” added Ward to the 42.ie
“We’ll have conversations with all the senior players, for sure.
“She’s a senior pro; she’s a leader and I think you need leaders. She has something different from the rest, so of course, we would like to keep her. I would have liked to keep the other two as well, but they’re not here, but we will try to work with them and lean on them to get the best use out of them.”
Ward has also revealed that she has spoken to Katie McCabe, the Ireland captain, and that using her in a different role is something that is also being mooted.
“One thing that I said to Katie last night was that when I sit down with her, probably after Sunday’s game (Arsenal v Crystal Palace), that we’re going to talk about how do we get the best out of Katie,” said Ward.
“I have something in my mind. I’m not going to say what because we haven’t had that conversation. I’ve seen her play a certain role a couple of times for Arsenal, which I think she can be effective in for the national team. But it’s making sure there are players for other positions.
“There are conversations to be had, but I think Katie can be utilised in a different way. How we want to play, Katie might end up in her natural left-back position, but there is something that potentially we might look at.”
The WNT's next home game will be against Türkiye at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, February 21.
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