In her first statements since the FAI decided against renewing her contract as the manager for the Republic of Ireland, following the previous summer’s World Cup, Vera Pauw has given her thoughts on the way she left her position. In a comprehensive discussion with Richie Sadlier on the Second Captains Podcast, Pauw was particularly critical of Diane Caldwell, her former player, who had heavily criticised Pauw back in September asserting that the team’s successes happened despite, rather than because of her.
Caldwell’s comments left Pauw profoundly troubled. She felt that Caldwell intended to hurt her. Expressing her disappointment at Eileen Gleeson, her previous assistant and now her replacement, for endorsing Caldwell’s right to voice her opinion, Pauw stated that she would instruct any of her players who badmouthed her former manager to leave the camp.
Just preceding the World Cup, Pauw’s interview with The Athletic, in which she discussed being identified in a misconduct report by the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), led to an assumption that her contract wouldn’t be extended. Jonathan Hill, FAI chief executive, was accused by Pauw of weakening her control over her players by organising ‘safeguarding’ meetings with them following the publication of The Athletic piece, which subsequently impacted her relationship with the squad.
Despite her strong denial of the NWSL allegations against her, primarily focused on weight-shaming players, Pauw fears that her chances of securing another appointment in Western society have been diminished due to the accusations.