Carla Ward Appointed Head Coach of Ireland Women's Soccer Team

Ward, a former Aston Villa manager and Olympic gold-winning assistant, takes over with a contract through the 2027 Women's World Cup.

Carla Ward replaces Eileen Gleeson as head coach after Ireland's failure to qualify for Euro 2025.
Ward's contract runs until the conclusion of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
She previously managed Aston Villa, leading them to their best-ever Women's Super League finish, and served on the U.S. coaching staff during the Paris Olympics.
This marks Ward's first role in international management, with her debut set for February 21 against Turkey in the UEFA Women's Nations League.
The Football Association of Ireland praised Ward as a top-quality coach capable of advancing the national team's ambitions.