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Republic of Ireland Women’s Team Welcomes New Manager
The Republic of Ireland women’s national football team has announced a change in leadership, with former Aston Villa manager, Ward, stepping in to replace Gleeson. Ward is set to lead her team in her debut match against Turkey this Friday, followed by an away game in Slovenia on the upcoming Tuesday.
Defender Mannion expressed her enthusiasm about working under Ward, emphasizing her excitement for the new direction the team might take. “I’ve not played under her but I’ve spoken to her and she seems really excited, ambitious and hungry for the team to succeed,” Mannion remarked. She anticipates that Ward will soon share her strategic vision and goals for the remainder of the 2027 World Cup campaign.
The transition in coaching comes at a challenging time for the squad, as they will be without the experienced contributions of Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, and Julie-Ann Russell, all of whom have recently announced their retirement from international football following the team’s playoff defeat. Mannion characterized these players as “massive, massive characters” whose absence will be deeply felt within the team.
Reflecting on the impact of her former teammates, Mannion said, “Niamh Fahey and Diane Caldwell were massive role models as defenders and people for me, personally.” She also recounted Russell’s remarkable journey during her time with the team, stating, “Julie-Ann Russell had a year that nobody could have written, from when she first came into camp to where she ended up.”
Mannion expressed her gratitude for having had the opportunity to train and compete alongside such influential figures in the sport, noting, “It is so disappointing to see them step back and retire but I’m really thankful, on a personal level, that I’ve been on camps around them.”
As the team prepares for these upcoming matches, the focus will undoubtedly be on how they adapt to new leadership while honoring the legacy of the departing players.
Source
www.bbc.com