Brian Sorensen Joins Republic of Ireland Women’s Coaching Staff

Brian Sorensen is set for a swift return to the international stage, with the former Everton manager poised to join the Republic of Ireland women’s set-up for their World Cup play-off campaign later this year.

The Dane is expected to be appointed assistant coach, forming part of a reshaped backroom team that will also include Liverpool coach Amber Whiteley. The pair will support manager Carla Ward as Ireland chase a place at the Women’s World Cup.

Sorensen will combine the role with his current job as technical director of Aston Villa Women. He is understood to remain in that position on a full-time basis, linking up with Ireland only during international windows.

There is already a clear line of familiarity in the new arrangement. Ward previously went head-to-head with Sorensen in the Women’s Super League when she was in charge of Villa and he was in the dugout at Everton, their sides regularly battling in the middle pack of the table.

Now they join forces at a critical moment for Ireland.

Ireland face Kazakhstan in the first round of the World Cup play-off qualifiers, a two-legged tie scheduled for 9 and 13 October. The margins are thin at this stage of the cycle, and the decision to add Sorensen’s WSL experience to the ticket underlines just how seriously those October dates are being treated.