Stephen Ward joins Solihull Moors as director of football one day after manager Neal Ardley sacked

Stephen Ward has joined Solihull Moors as their new director of football. 

The former Wolves and Republic of Ireland defender joins the National League side just a day after the exit of manager Neal Ardley. 

It’s all change at Damson Park as the aspirational West Midlands outfit parted ways with Ardley after a 15th-place finish and introduce Ward to a newly created role. 

Ward said: ‘I am delighted to be here and get started in the role at Moors. After meeting the chairman, I was firstly very impressed by him and his vision for the club, along with the clear ambition to progress and achieve Football League status.

‘I was impressed by the set up both at the stadium and the training ground in Studley, as well as the Club’s ambition to be the best both on and off the pitch.’ 

Neal Ardley, pictured here managing Wimbledon, left Solihull after two seasons yesterday 

Solihull Moors are an ambitious National League side aiming for promotion to League Two 

Ward was previously the assistant manager at Brackley Town in the National league North, helping old Wolves team-mate Roger Johnson to steer them to fourth. 

His time in the back rooms follows a playing career of 620 games for club and country, including seven seasons in the Premier League with Wolves and Burnley. 

Solihull have decided to reshuffle after two years under Ardley, a well-respected coach in the lower leagues, despite him leading them to the play-off final in 2021/22. 

Since winning the National League North in 2015/16, the club have become a competitive force in the fifth tier.

They finished second in 2018-19 – three points off champions Leyton Orient – but failed to go up via the play-offs. 

Moors chairman Darryl Eales said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Stephen to Moors and believe we are fortunate to have an individual of his calibre in the newly created role of director of football.

‘Alongside Stephen, we will appoint a head coach in the near future and, in the interim, James Quinn will welcome the players back to pre-season training.

‘Stephen’s appointment is part of our programme of continuous improvement and he will oversee all our football activities.’