A new manager for Alisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly! Carla Ward explains why she's leaving Aston Villa despite leading WSL side to impressive fifth-placed finish last season

Ward joined Villa three years ago and led the Villans to their highest ever Women's Super League finish (fifth) in 2022/23 and this term they are seventh. However, despite the club's efforts to get her to stay, the 40-year-old said she will leave this summer but admitted it was the "hardest decision" of her managerial career. The ex-Birmingham City boss thanked Villa for their support but wanted to prioritise family life for the time being.

She told the club's website: “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 (president of football operations) Monchi and (director of football operations) 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.”

During Ward's tenure, they reached the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup, the last four of the Conti Cup, and recruited top talent such as England's Rachel Daly and Lucy Staniforth, Swiss star Alisha Lehmann, and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie. Moreover, 11 academy graduates made their first-team debuts as the club's future looks bright.

Despite not hitting the heights they did last season, Villa did their utmost to try and get ex-Leeds United player Ward to stay at the West Midlands club.

Monchi added: “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.”

Villa will round off Ward's tenure at the WSL club with an away trip to Brighton on Friday, a team who are two points adrift of the Villans, followed by hosting title hopefuls Manchester City on May 18.