Vera Pauw’s future in question as Irish players decline to publicly back her

Rory Fleming

Pauw’s current deal expires next month, but despite leading Ireland to their first ever World Cup, it has yet to be renewed.

Vera Pauw has seen her position as Ireland women’s manager cast under fresh doubt after four of her players failed to publicly back her renewal on Saturday.

Pauw has been in the role for four years now, and in that time has helped steer the Girls in Green to their first ever appearance at a World Cup.

Two games in to the group stages, Ireland are already out of contention for qualification to the next round following narrow defeats at the hands of Australia and Canada, leaving Monday’s final group game against Nigeria as a dead-rubber.

Pauw has consistently expressed her desire to remain on as Ireland manager. (Credit: Sportsfile)

FAI stalling over Vera Pauw renewal:

The Dutch manager had expressed her desire to continue on in her current role prior to the World Cup, hoping to lead Ireland through their upcoming Nations League and Euro 2025 qualification campaigns.

However, the FAI have reportedly parked negotiations over a new deal for the 60-year-old, with her current deal set to lapse next month.

Speaking on Saturday, Pauw reiterated her stance that she wants to remain in situ as Ireland manager, stating that the pause on contract talks was a matter which the FAI needed to answer on, not her.

“That is something you need to discuss with the management (of the FAI),” she said.

Following the tournament, the FAI is set to conduct a full review of the World Cup before they ultimately decide upon their next course of action with Pauw.

When asked by Tony O’Donoghue if herself and the players should have more certainty regarding her contract details, she was blunt and to the point.

“Yes,” she replied, as a pointed answer to the FAI.

Vera Pauw gave a blunt answer when asked about the uncertainty over her future after the World Cup. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/8FmcG4ImW2

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 30, 2023

Ireland players fail to back Vera Pauw:

A cloud of negative coverage has been looming over the experienced manager even prior to this weekend’s events.

The Athletic ran an investigative piece before the World Cup which brought forward allegations from Pauw’s time as Houston Dash head coach that she engaged in weight shaming and controlling conduct, claims she strenuously denies.

Moreover, her captain Katie McCabe branded these allegations as a “negative distraction” in the lead-up to Ireland’s maiden World Cup appearance.

Pauw’s predecessor Sue Ronan is another to have spoken out against her, with Ronan questioning Pauw’s criticising of her own players.

In what appears to be the biggest challenge to Pauw’s future, four of her players have now also failed to publicly back her renewal.

Louise Quinn, Kyra Carusa, Lucy Quinn and Lily Agg all declined to support Pauw when questioned by media on Saturday, with the quartet opting for the stock of answer of “having not given it any thought… and just remaining focused on Monday’s game.”

Ireland are set to meet Nigeria tomorrow in Brisbane at 11am Irish time, in what could now very well be Pauw’s last game as Ireland manager.

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