Carla Ward on her Republic of Ireland role: 'This is the one I wanted'

Carla Ward, Ireland's new head coach, doesn't shy away from a challenge and isn't put off by the FAI controversy that emerged just as she was announced to take what she saw as a coveted job.

"Aren't all football clubs and organisations (surrounded by controversy)? I think that’s the nature of football, isn’t it?" Ward laughs telling RTÉ Sport.

"My job is now to look at what I can control and how we win football matches, I can’t get drawn into the controversy, I have to get the players ready for camp.

"If you look at my background, I don't think I have shied away from many challenges. If you look at Birmingham and the whole world said, 'don’t take it’ and I took it and achieved what I wanted to achieve," she adds.

The ex-Villa WSL boss joined Birmingham in the 2020-2021 season where they heroically escaped relegation.

Ward won't have a dissimilar task ahead taking the helm in Ireland, where the squad are down from failing to qualify for the European Championships this summer, but she isn't concerned about her ability to bring them back up.

"Just be aware there's a bit of a lull (players said)... my job is to pick people up and I like to think I’ve got a good energy and I try to bring people together.

"They love playing for Ireland, so it shouldn’t be too difficult," explains Ward.

The 41-year-old was approached by the FAI 'a few days before Christmas' but explains that it was the job she was gunning for, despite being in conversation with another national team.

"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." - Carla Ward

"I have worked with Irish players