Aston Villa Women can confirm that Manager Carla Ward has decided to step down from her post at the end of the season.
Carla joined Villa three years ago and has established the club as a force in the top-flight of women’s football.
In her first season in charge, Carla led the team to a ninth-place finish in the Barclays WSL before recording a fifth-place finish, our best ever league position, in 2022/23.
The club also progressed to the semi-final of the Women’s FA Cup in what was a groundbreaking campaign.
This season the team reached the semi-final of the FA Women’s Contintental Tyres League Cup and they currently sit in seventh place in the WSL with two games remaining.
During Carla’s tenure, the club has recruited national and international stars of the game including Lionesses Rachel Daly, Lucy Staniforth and Jordan Nobbs plus Scotland captain Rachel Corsie. 11 Academy graduates have also made first-team debuts during her time in charge.
Carla said: “To step down from my post here at Aston Villa has been the hardest decision of my managerial career, but I know it is the right one for my family and I.
“Managing a great club like Aston Villa has been a full-throttle job and I have always given the role 100 per cent dedication. However, I now believe it is the right time for me to prioritise the other important things - such as my daughter and the rest of my family life.
“I am immensely grateful to Monchi and Damian Vidagany who tried so hard to encourage me to stay in the role, but I know it is the right time to step down after our last game of the season.”
President of Football Operations, Monchi said: “Carla came to us a few weeks ago and spoke of her plan to step down. We have had extensive dialogue with her to see if there was anything we could do to persuade her to stay, but she is adamant that she wants to take a break from the game.
“Therefore, on behalf of everybody at Aston Villa, I want to place on record our grateful thanks to Carla for everything she has achieved with us and wish her well for the future.”
Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany, said: “In my opinion, Carla is one of the best managers in women’s football and we are sad to see here go. I would like to wish her all the best for the future.”
An update on the Manager’s position will made in due course.
