FOOTBALL Association of Ireland chief executive Jonathan Hill said senior women’s manager Vera Pauw was released because a fresh approach was needed to bring Irish women’s football forward.
Pauw was the first manager to bring the Republic to a World Cup but, after a post-tournament review was conducted by Director of Football Marc Canham, who said the Association will now search for a "collaborative and inclusive leader", which included over 30 one-on-one interviews with players, staff and Pauw herself, the FAI decided not to renew Pauw’s contract
“Vera has always been a pioneer in the women’s game and will always be the coach who guided us to our first world cup,” said Hill.
“Along with other coaches, she changed the face of women’s football forever.”
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Part of the focus of the review was on Pauw’s training methods and her approach to training and conditioning and although Hill said that the overall preparation for the World Cup was “second to none” the FAI decided that a “different and fresh approach” was required to take the team forward.
Although a contract extension was discussed prior to the World Cup, a new contract was never offered to Pauw or her representatives.
“Our ultimate responsibility is to act in what we believe are the best interests of Irish football,” said Hill.
The FAI chief executive denied that there had been “interference in the technical affairs of the team including team selection” and said that engagement with players and staff was always conducted in “an appropriate manner”.
He added that the Republic of Ireland players who will face Northern Ireland (home) and Hungary (away) later this month were “an absolute credit to this country” and performed “to their maximum” during the Pauw's time in charge.
“We wish Vera Pauw well and thank her for all she has done,” he said.
