It's becoming a tradition - and an unfortunate necessity - for the new Republic of Ireland boss to cool the scorched earth left by their predecessors' exits.
Eileen Gleeson had to do it when she succeeded Vera Pauw; now it's Carla Ward's turn to stamp out the flames of a fire she didn't start.
While Gleeson's departure felt inevitable in the wake of the Euro 2025 play-off loss to Wales, the handling of her assistant Colin Healy's situation has been messy. Last month, Healy was very critical of the process in which he was removed from his role by the FAI, claiming he'd been led to believe his contract would be extended regardless of how that play-off went.
Denise O'Sullivan later aired her support for Healy, saying: "I think it was disrespectful, I think it lacked class, I think it lacked compassion."
After unveiling her squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header, Ward made it clear that Healy's name was never in play when it came to choosing her backroom team. "It wasn't an option to consider him, because he was gone from the organisation before I came in," she insisted.
"If he was in the building would he be considered? Yes. But he wasn't in the building.
"I didn't make that decision myself. I came in and it was all taken care of.
"I am a very strong individual. I believe I can create change."
"Look, we know football right? When people move on it's not about twisting the arm to bring people back. It is not like that. I came in and understood who I could bring in and we recruited those people and that was it."
Asked if the nature of Healy's exit made her wary of encountering difficulties with the FAI further down the line, the 41-year-old was diplomatic.
"I am a very strong individual," she said. "I believe I can create change. We will move forward and bring people together, with one common goal. If that means changing perception along the way I will certainly try and do that."
Ward looks like she's coming into this job with her eyes open. She's familiar with most of the players and seems tuned into the environment too, pushing for the implementation of a development squad that will allow fringe and home-based players to stake their claim.
The FAI scrapped home-based sessions for LOI players last summer and there's no sign of a long-mooted Under-23s team, so a bridge between the Under-19s and seniors is badly needed. This is a reasonably positive first step, though more progress is needed.
"I would like to see it being permanent," Ward said. "Obviously this is maybe a trial run, it’s fair to say. But the more we get them in the better. They have the game here on the Wednesday (against the Ireland Under-19s) which will be really important. I’ll be watching that and having a look.
"I’ve made it clear that I want to see who’s who and have a look myself and see what they’re about. But of course we would love to see it. There is untapped talent in this country so it’s about finding it now. If we can find it and bring out some gems, there are plenty of them."
Last May the Englishwoman stepped away from her post as Aston Villa manager to spend more time with her daughter. She has perspective, and possesses a lighter touch that this Ireland squad perhaps needs after a few up-and-down years.
Ward is also savvy enough to lean into figures ingrained in the setup. Emma Byrne has remained on the coaching ticket, while there's a growing feeling the recently retired Niamh Fahey and Diane Caldwell could come back into the fold in some capacity.
It would be in keeping with the early vibes Ward has exuded: she's realisitic, but ambitious and positive about the future.
"Naturally, my neck is on the block right?" Ward added. "If I lose games, it's going to be you guys coming after me and it's going to be me that’s going to get the sack!
"(The players) are whole-hearted and I like that about them, that was something I said in my interview, with the Irish. It is a mentality that I love and you have to buy into that. I will do anything to protect the players, to help them, to move forward.
"I don’t shy away from anything and you will probably see that, so any way I can help the players try to move forward in their careers, both professionally and personally, then I certainly will."
FIXTURES
Friday 21 Feb: Rep of Ireland v Turkey, Tallaght Stadium, 7.30pm (Live on RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player)
Tuesday 25 Feb: Slovenia v Rep of Ireland, Bonfika Stadium, 5pm (Live on RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Unattached)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Everton), Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland – on loan from West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Unattached), Marissa Sheva (Unattached), Melisa Filis (Charlton Athletic)
Forwards: Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)
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