THE FOOTBALL Association of Ireland [FAI] have outlined the reasons for Ireland Women’s boss Vera Pauw’s departure from the job.
The Dutch manager departed the role despite guiding Ireland to a historic first-ever World Cup, in which they exited at the group stages after drawing with Nigeria and losing to Australia and Canada.
Hill confirmed that many players and FAI Director of Football Marc Canham had a “different position” to Pauw on Ireland’s style and preparation for games, prompting the Association’s decision to ultimately part ways with the 60-year-old coach.
“It’s important to stress that we are not here to criticise the manager’s approach in any of these areas,” FAI CEO Jonathan Hill told reporters today.
“Vera was very clear, consistent and open in stating, not just to us, but also to her staff and players that she believed her approach to core areas such as these was absolutely the right one and indeed something she had adhered to across her entire career.
“We are not doubting that conviction, nor indeed her beliefs. But we do feel it is important to recognise that in professional football, as in wider sport, there are always disagreements and at times, subsequent tension behind style and preparation.
“The manager had her views and believed in her approach. A number of the players and indeed Marc, simply had a different position.
“What we’re saying in simple terms is that we genuinely believe in order to propel the next phase of growth with this team for women’s and girls’ football in Ireland more broadly, we feel we need a different and fresh approach.
“There were indeed differences of opinion, but these are part and parcel of the game. It was clear from conversations with Vera that she was not going to change her fundamental approach.”
Hill added that the FAI’s internal World Cup review flagged “recurring themes such as training methods, the style and nature of sessions, and approaches to conditioning”.
Pauw told RTÉ recently that she believed the allegations surrounding her time at Houston Dash in 2018 — which she refutes — were “the key reason” behind the non-renewal.
Hill confirmed that the resurfacing of said accusations via an article in The Athletic in June was a major issue, with contract negotiations paused around that time.
“I don’t think it was the content of the article itself, I think it was the effect of the article itself. You guys were in the press conference with Vera and Katie [McCabe, captain], and Katie made it clear that she and other players felt it was a distraction in relation to the preparation for the tournament.
“I think Vera knew deep down it was a distraction as well to the preparation for the tournament, but Vera felt he had to address those issues. I understand why she wanted to address those personal issues in the way she did, but we felt it became a distraction. We were days away from getting on two planes to take us to Australia. We wanted the focus, and felt it was important at that point, that focus came back to the football and the tournament ahead.”
Hill and FAI Director of Football Marc Canham were speaking jointly at a media briefing at FAI HQ, Abbotstown, regarding Pauw’s departure and Stephen Kenny’s future.
The decision not to award the history-making Dutchwoman a new contract came late last month after the confidential review, managed by Canham and including 31 interviewees.
Hill and Canham responded to Pauw’s parting shot, stressing that the outcome of the internal review was not “predetermined”, there was no interference with the squad and a contract extension had not been formally offered.
Pauw previously claimed the FAI reneged on an agreement of a contract offer and accused Hill of undermining her authority by having meetings with players and staff during the World Cup.
“In relation to the presence of FAI executives within the team environment of the World Cup, again it’s important to point out that there was absolutely no interference in the technical affairs of the team as has been suggested, from either myself, Marc [Canham] or any FAI executives, whether that be team selection or anything of the sort,” said Hill.
“In terms of team affairs more generally, I as CEO, as well as the wider senior leadership team have worked hard to develop strong professional relationships with the players as we believe it’s crucial that players feel connected to the Association. This was one of the key contributory factors as to how and why an equal pay agreement was reached and how better standards have been introduced alongside various other discussions.
“The players themselves view this kind of open and transparent interaction and communication as a real positive and have stated this on a number of occasions. In the past, the FAI has been accused of not listening to players and I for one do not believe that would reflect a modern working environment. Engagement with players and staff was always conducted in an appropriate manner and never in any way deliberately or inadvertently to undermine team affairs.”
The CEO also explained the delay in this briefing: “At the time of the Board’s decision last month, we took a decision, rightly or wrongly, not to do a full round of media interviews in order to respect Vera Pauw and those who participated in the review.”
You can watch the full press conference, via RTÉ, here:
- With additional reporting from David Sneyd and Emma Duffy.
