Carla Ward: 'There’s conversations to be had but I think Katie can be utilised in a different way'

Ward would prefer if Louise Quinn, 35 when the qualifiers kick off in a year’s time, doesn’t follow her contemporary defenders Diane Caldwell and Niamh Fahey towards international retirement.

NEW MANAGER: New Republic of Ireland women's head coach Carla Ward poses for a portrait before a media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

At least Carla Ward could laugh about the parallels. Tradition now decrees that an FAI managerial unveiling isn’t about the manager. A circus around them sees to that.

Like Heimir Hallgrímsson’s first press conference in July, the two men flanking the supposed boss fielded questions about topics other than Ward’s suitability.

Asked if the constant messes her new employers tend to create dimmed her appetite for accepting the vacancy of women’s manager, she could smiled.

“Aren’t all football clubs and organisations like that?” she ruminated.

“I can’t get drawn into controversy. The whole world said about the Birmingham City job ‘don’t take it’.

“I took it and achieved what I wanted. I wouldn’t shy away.” 

Ward was at the helm of Birmingham when a player revolt erupted over shabby facilities and mistreatment that had shades of the Irish team’s strike action in 2017.

Aston Villa was the professional alternative she chose next and the expectation is that regardless of what latest fire the FAI hierarchy is tackling it won’t distract from her prime focus.

That’s steering Ireland successfully through the next series of qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup.

She’s emulated her friend, Chelsea’s multi title winner Emma Hayes, by ditching the relentless club treadmill for a change of pace on the international circuit and Ireland are the beneficiaries.

Revealing that another national job was in her thoughts before the FAI made contact in December, she said this option presented the perfect fit.

To maximise her contract, which if successful will run up to the Brazil showpiece and undoubtedly beyond, Ward is relying on forging relationships.

There’s her former manager Hannah Dingley within the FAI administration as head of women’s and girls football but moreover the players at disposal.

She would prefer if Louise Quinn, 35 when the qualifiers kick off in a year’s time, doesn’t follow her contemporary defenders Diane Caldwell and Niamh Fahey towards international retirement.

“I will be speaking to Louise to see where she is at,” she said.

“She’s a senior pro and you need leaders. I actually tried to sign her for Villa. She has something different from the rest, so of course, we would like her to stay.” 

That defence, whether Quinn is still part of it, will be a flat back-four.

Predecessors Eileen Gleeson, Vera Pauw and occasionally Colin Bell favoured a five, deploying captain and lynchpin Katie McCabe as left wing-back.

Ward will meet up with new assistant Alan Mahon and goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne to watch McCabe go up against Izzy Atkinson’s Crystal Palace on Sunday – after which a thorny topic of her optimal role will be teased out.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played five at the back, apart from Chelsea and Arsenal away when we parked the bus, so to speak,” she admitted.

“I chatted to Katie on the phone we've to meet about getting the best out of her.

“I have something in mind. I’m not going to say what because we haven’t had that conversation.

“I’ve seen her play a certain role for Arsenal which I think she can be so effective in for the national team. But it’s making sure there’s players for other positions.

“There’s conversations to be had but I think Katie can be utilised in a different way.” 

Her imprint will be evident during the Nations League campaign, kicking off against Turkey at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, February 21 before the trip to Slovenia four days later. That League B group, also featuring Greece, is the gateway to a palatable World Cup draw but there could be a six-month lull of competitive fixtures.

Fifa’s top-ranked nation USA would be quite a coup to catch as friendly opposition, either away, as was the case in 2023, or in Lansdowne Road.

“No comment,” she jested. “Of course, I’ve joked to Emma, asking when they are going to play us.

“We must put ourselves in a lot of stressful situations against the best teams in the world, on different continents, to ensure we’re ready for what’s next.”