Preview: Carla Ward wants evolution rather than revolution

The FAI have a habit of channelling their inner Darwin Nunez when it comes to open goals.

Managerial unveilings should be unblemished occasions of promise and intrigue.

But recent incoming Republic of Ireland bosses have had to wrestle with scenarios beyond their control, spending chunks of their early media duties stamping out other people's fires.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's first press conference as head coach of the men's team was dominated by questions about the timeline of his appointment and whether he was genuinely the FAI's first choice.

Now Carla Ward's arrival as women's boss has been overshadowed by the confusion surrounding Colin Healy's departure from the coaching ticket. The Corkman claims he was led to believe he'd be staying on; the FAI maintain his future was always going to be subject to a post-Euro 2025 play-off review.

In the last few weeks Denise O'Sullivan, Aoife Mannion, Stephen Bradley (most explosively) and Katie McCabe have all publicly supported Healy in the dispute, while Ward has had to clarify that the decision not to keep him on board was out of her hands: "It was done and dusted before I came in so it was not something on my radar."

Ward has handled an awkward situation with decorum. The former Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager is a breezy presence with a track record of defying limited resources. She looks ready for this gig, refreshed having stepped away from Villa last May to spend more time with her daughter.

The 41-year-old inherits a squad bruised by December's play-off final loss to the Welsh, but wins tend to heal wounds pretty quickly, and Ireland have an opportunity to rack up a couple over the next few days.

Turkey are first up, arriving to Tallaght ranked 60th in the