Brian Sorensen now has two jobs, and the timing of both couldn't be more complicated. The former Everton manager has been appointed Aston Villa's interim WSL boss following the sacking of Natalia Arroyo — the same week he was confirmed as Republic of Ireland assistant coach under Carla Ward.
Sorensen, who has been working as a technical advisor at Villa, steps into the dugout for Wednesday's Subway Players Cup tie against Newcastle. Villa then face Crystal Palace on Sunday. The day after that, Ireland fly to Astana for the first leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final against Kazakhstan. The schedule is not forgiving.
Ward's trust, and a gap that needed filling fast
Ward was blunt about why Gary Cronin left: "Sometimes things simply don't work out on both sides." She moved quickly. Sorensen was already in her network — she'd actually consulted him during the original assistant coach search before appointing Cronin. When the vacancy reopened, the call was obvious.
"He ticked all those boxes," Ward said, citing his understanding of high performance and elite female athletes. He'll work alongside Amber Whiteley, who holds a similar assistant role while also at Liverpool. The plan, for now, covers the next couple of international windows before a year-end review.
Whether Sorensen can genuinely serve both clubs at this intensity is a real question. Villa are in the middle of a WSL season without a permanent manager. Ireland are 90 minutes from a World Cup play-off final. Something, at some point, may have to give.
Ireland's squad picture going into Kazakhstan
Ward is missing Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva through suspension, Saoirse Noonan is out with an ankle injury, and Denise O'Sullivan has been deliberately rested. The artificial pitch and long travel to Astana were cited — Ward wants her fit for the second leg in Cork. O'Sullivan has played a lot of minutes recently and is managing a knee recovery. The logic is sound even if it thins the options.
The one fresh face is Crystal Palace midfielder Shanayde Hopcroft, earning her first call-up at 28 through her grandmother from Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Ward has been watching her for two years. She's played every minute of the WSL season so far, and that kind of availability and consistency at club level earns trust at international level.
Her inclusion comes at Ruesha Littlejohn's expense — a player Ward has managed at two clubs and clearly has enormous affection for. Littlejohn has been without a club since leaving Palace in May, and Ward didn't hide her frustration: "I find it crazy that she doesn't have a club." She's currently training with a Championship side, and Ward is already hinting she'd push to keep Littlejohn involved with the setup in some capacity if a contract doesn't materialise.
Ward also revealed she had breakfast with men's head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson on Tuesday morning — a show of solidarity after a turbulent few days following Ireland's controversial Nations League game against Israel. "Heimir has my full support always," she said. It's a small detail, but it says something about the culture Ward is trying to build around the Irish setup, men's and women's alike.
