Pauw's historical allegations became a 'distraction' for team
ADVISED NOT TO: FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill said he advised Vera Pauw not to allow the pre-match press conference for the farewell World Cup friendly against France on July 6 was overshadowed by Pauw addressing media queries. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Vera Pauw’s decision to ignore FAI advice on dealing publicly with historical allegations proved to be the beginning of the end for her Ireland tenure.
The ex-women’s team manager was twice since January the subject of misconduct claims from her 2018 spell at Houston Dash but her reaction to the July media expose turned her employer against Pauw.
Ireland’s pre-match press conference for the farewell World Cup friendly against France on July 6 was overshadowed by Pauw addressing media queries, Captain Katie McCabe, flanking Pauw at the event in Tallaght Stadium, acknowledged the matter had become a distraction.
Three weeks on from the recommendation of Hill and Mark Canham to dispense with Ireland’s most successful-ever women’s manager, the chief executive cited that week as a turning point.
Negotiations to extend the reign of Pauw that began in 2019 were progressing until the FAI learnt on June 12 of the imminent publication of the story in The Athletic.
Pauw levelled a series of accusations at the FAI over the handling of her departure.
Specifically, that a decision on her future was predetermined before the post-World Cup review commenced and she felt undermined by interference while in Australia managing the team.
“I advised her not to do it,” Hill said about allowing the press conference to be dominated by refuting the stories from individual unnamed players and staff.
“I would not say to Vera 'don't do something'. You know Vera. But I advised her not to do something and as it turned out, there were certain people who did feel it was a distraction.
“It wasn’t so much the content of the article itself but the effect of the article.
“Katie and players felt it was a distraction and wanted a calm approach to the tournament. They were days away from flying to Australia for their first tournament. Deep down I think Vera knew that too. I understand why she wanted to deal with those personal issues in the way she did but we felt it became a distraction.”
Evidently, Pauw’s continuity was tenuous prior to the tournament but the tension rocketed in camp and as results slid.
Canham confirmed he had spoken to 31 individuals, between players and staff, surmising an irrevocable split was afoot. He went short of confirming reports that certain players would quit if Pauw was retained beyond her contract expiration on August 31 but her approach to training and conditioning left players bemused. This despite no complaints raised from the squad during the successful qualifying camp.
“Vera was the first and last person we spoke to,” said Canham. “From the review feedback, it was clear that methods that she has learned a lot about and become an expert in weren’t aligned with how I believe we need to take forward with all of our international teams.”
That, for the time being, sees Eileen Gleeson in charge for the upcoming double-header, the landmark first women’s game at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week against Northern Ireland – which Hill predicts a 30,000 turnout for – and the trip to Hungary.
Gleeson would prefer to resume her women’s head of football role once a suitable permanent successor is sourced rather than use the six games as an audition for permanency. A headhunting agency, like global firm CAA who they used to recruit Shane Robinson’s as Canham’s assistant, will be engaged to assist.
“As we go into camp next week, I'm sure there will be comments from some of our players on what has gone on,” he said of the topic likely to dominate players' interviews.
Pauw has a history of having the last say. Don’t rule out the St Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal appearing prominently in the coming months.
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