REPUBLIC OF IRELAND women’s boss Carla Ward has recruited former WSL rival Brian Sørensen as her new assistant coach.
As first reported by the BBC, The 42 understands ex-Everton manager Sørensen is set to join Ward’s staff following the departure of Gary Cronin. Cronin left the role in early August after just over six months.
Sørensen is also the technical advisor of Aston Villa Women, and is expected to balance both jobs through the 2027 World Cup play-offs.
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The 46-year-old Dane served as Everton manager from 2022 to 2026, where he oversaw 10th, sixth and three eighth-placed finishes before they parted company in February. His time at the Toffees overlapped with Ward at the Aston Villa helm, while he worked with Irish players Courtney Brosnan and Heather Payne on Merseyside.
Sørensen previously enjoyed success in his native Denmark, managing Fortuna Hjorring twice while also working at LK Skovbakken and FC Nordsjælland.
He will now join the Ireland set-up, where assistant coach Amber Whiteley and goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne are other key members of Ward’s staff. Cronin and Alan Mahon have both departed the number two role.
Ireland continue their bid to qualify for back-to-back World Cup finals next month, facing Kazakhstan in a two-legged play-off semi-final before a potential final against Belgium or Poland.
The home game against Kazakhstan has been confirmed for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday 13 October, with the first leg being played four days earlier in Astana.
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Carla Ward set to appoint former Everton boss Sørensen as Ireland assistant
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND women’s boss Carla Ward has recruited former WSL rival Brian Sørensen as her new assistant coach.
As first reported by the BBC, The 42 understands ex-Everton manager Sørensen is set to join Ward’s staff following the departure of Gary Cronin. Cronin left the role in early August after just over six months.
Sørensen is also the technical advisor of Aston Villa Women, and is expected to balance both jobs through the 2027 World Cup play-offs.
The 46-year-old Dane served as Everton manager from 2022 to 2026, where he oversaw 10th, sixth and three eighth-placed finishes before they parted company in February. His time at the Toffees overlapped with Ward at the Aston Villa helm, while he worked with Irish players Courtney Brosnan and Heather Payne on Merseyside.
Sørensen previously enjoyed success in his native Denmark, managing Fortuna Hjorring twice while also working at LK Skovbakken and FC Nordsjælland.
He will now join the Ireland set-up, where assistant coach Amber Whiteley and goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne are other key members of Ward’s staff. Cronin and Alan Mahon have both departed the number two role.
Ireland continue their bid to qualify for back-to-back World Cup finals next month, facing Kazakhstan in a two-legged play-off semi-final before a potential final against Belgium or Poland.
The home game against Kazakhstan has been confirmed for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday 13 October, with the first leg being played four days earlier in Astana.
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