New Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward 'very highly thought of' - Sue Ronan

Former Republic of Ireland manager Sue Ronan believes the FAI have made a good call in appointing the "highly thought of" Carla Ward as the new head coach of the Girls in Green.

The former Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager was announced as the person who will grasp the senior team reins with an eye to trying to help Ireland qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport, former Ireland boss Ronan highlighted Ward's credentials from her previous roles as well as her connection to USA and former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.

"I know she's very highly thought of in the English game," she said.

"I think she's one of a cohort of maybe four or five young coaches that have come up and done their coaching education and I think actually Emma Hayes does a little bit of mentoring with them on the side in her own time.

"From what I gather, she's very well thought of. She has had experience in a couple of clubs. She was at Birmingham when there were issues off the field alright - I think she had just come in and then there were issues in terms of the club but they got on with it and I think at the end of that year, she might have been one of the nominees for coach of the year.

"So she seemed to do well and was able to put those issues behind her and get the players onside and playing well, regardless of what was going on around them so she seems to be a good appointment."

Ward has already got a glimpse at off the field issues in the Irish game since being announced as the new head coach earlier this week.

Part of her introductory press conference was dominated by a difference of opinion between the FAI and Eileen Gleeson's former assistant coach Colin Healy about the manner in