Republic of Ireland women's senior assistant coach and former goalkeeper Emma Byrne has been appointed as manager of English third tier side Lewes FC.
The 46-year-old Kildare native - the most capped Irish women's international of all time - will however retain her position within Carla Ward's Girls in Green set-up, where she serves as goalkeeping coach.
Lewes play in the FA Women's National League South, which is directly below Women's Super League 2, and the club from East Sussex said they intend to support Byrne in combining her new role with her FAI commitments.
"Emma will continue her role with the FAI and the Ireland women's national team, and we are proud to support her in balancing her dual responsibilities. Her presence at Lewes reflects the club’s ambition to connect domestic development with the international game," Lewes said.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper, who won the Women's Champions League with the Gunners in 2007 as well as multiple domestic trophies during her illustrious career, said she was excited to succeed Nat Lawrence as Lewes boss.
"I am delighted to join Lewes FC – a special club that is ambitious and relentless in raising standards at the club and for women's football everywhere, with an amazing community spirit," she said.
"I am looking forward to working with a talented group of players and staff, and want to thank Nat for all her hard work last season to build the foundation for us to continue to grow from."
The appointment means Byrne will also work again with Lewes' sports science lead Ivi Casgrande, who was Ireland's performance coach until March when she resigned from the role.
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