Carla Ward: Equal pay for Ireland women’s manager should be considered

The Ireland manager is in constant dialogue with FAI CEO David Courell about resources for the women's team. “Am I happy? Yes," said Ward. "Am I happy with everything? No. Things can always be better."

Carla Ward is relieved that Denise O'Sullivan has shaken off a knee injury to be available for Ireland's tie with Belgium. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Ireland women’s manager Carla Ward believes equal pay for international managers should be considered, fresh from her predecessor Eileen Gleeson lodging a landmark case for parity.

The FAI intend to vigorously defend a civil action taken by Gleeson, who remains within their employment in a newly-created role as head of football strategic insights and planning.

Gleeson detailed a litany of disparities between the men’s and women’s squads, including the salary chasm for managers.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s €650,000 wage is understood to be five times that of the women’s boss, which has been Ward since last January.

Monday’s press conference, starting the build-up to Friday’s Uefa Nations League playoff, first leg against Belgium at Lansdowne Road, afforded the first opportunity to seek the views of the incumbent on the matter.

If Gleeson's case was to be favourably received by the courts, the outcome could have repercussions for gender equality within Irish sport and further afield.

English-born Ward, who managed Birmingham City and Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League before filling the Ireland vacancy, feels there’s a distinction between the club and country circuits.

“More so with international football, I think,” she said about levelling up income.

“Club football is a completely different kettle of fish. Players are earning €500,000 per week nowadays.

“It's a completely different game. They're selling out stadiums and that market is different.

“With international football, you could argue that it’s something which should be considered.” 

Ward is contracted for Ireland’s tilt at reaching the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. She’s no intention of demanding a pay increase along that journey.

“I couldn't tell you what the men’s team manager is on – and I don't think he'd tell me if I asked him,” she said about comparison with Hallgrímsson’s pay packet.

“Right now, my concentration has been to try and iron out what we need to iron out and try to get focused at this camp.” 

Based upon Ward’s answers to queries around resources, not everything is ironed out.

Gleeson had cited in her court deposition a lack of security for female players and absence of premium airport lounge access – deficits since rectified by the FAI – but on the day the FAI officially confirmed their debt pile of €42m, what’s desired isn’t necessarily available to the manager.

Dialogue with chief executive David Courell with a view to addressing the gaps is a constant.

“I think resources should be the same but it depends on what we call resources,” she said when asked if staff and players should be treated similarly at senior international level.

“There are conversations on what the realities are and where we're at, in terms of what is being spent on what.

“You must bang down doors to change. I've been at clubs where resources aren't quite adequate.

“When I came here, there was no secret. I said after the second press conference that there were things that needed to change.

“David's been receptive to things that I've gone to him with. There have been areas I think we need to improve.

“Am I happy? Yes. Am I happy with everything? No. Things can always be better.” 

Gleeson’s case is the latest in a string of controversies to overshadow the women’s squad.

“What impairs my ability to get results is the lack of talking about football,” she said with an element of frustration.

“Maybe the noise isn't about football because, since I've come into the job, 80% hasn't been football.

“Football is what we're paid for, what we need to be judged on. I'm going to be judged on results, right? So the quicker we can talk about football and focus on football, the better.

“Eileen's case has brought to attention things that she's encountered. I don't know if helpful is the right word but I can only bring forward what I encounter.” 

Ireland face Belgium over two legs, the second in Leuven on Tuesday week, for a place in the top tier of countries kicking off the World Cup qualifiers in February.

The advantage of victory is not only facing the elite teams but being guaranteed a backdoor to the tournament via the playoffs if regulation qualification doesn’t succeed.

Ward is relieved that Denise O’Sullivan has shaken off a knee injury to be declared fit.

“We were initially told that she was out but I didn't settle for that until the last minute,” explained the manager.

“I kept the door open because not just on the pitch – one of the best players I’ve ever worked with – but off the pitch Denise is phenomenal.

“To lose Denise would have been catastrophic so I can't tell you how happy I am that she's back in with us for these two tough games.”