(Reuters) – Former Ireland coach Vera Pauw said executives from the country’s football association (FAI) undermined her position and interfered in football matters during the Women’s World Cup.
Dutch coach Pauw led Ireland to their first major tournament this year in Australia and New Zealand, where they exited in the group stage.
FAI launched a review of the team’s performance and said this week it would not renew Pauw’s contract, which expired at the end of August. Eileen Gleeson, FAI’s head of women and girls’ football, was appointed interim head coach.
Pauw, 60, said the FAI’s attitude changed after the Athletic published an article in July when she strongly denied allegations of “abusive and inappropriate” behaviour during her time as manager of Houston Dash in the American top-flight NWSL.
“Following the article … which included allegations I absolutely refute, I believe the FAI made some major mistakes by directly overruling the tasks of the coach,” Pauw said on Thursday in a statement cited by the Irish Times.
“My position became very challenging when executives in the FAI, not technical football coaches, effectively took my seat and spoke to staff members and players regarding their roles in the team before and after the World Cup.
“My advice – coming from my knowledge and experience – was often disregarded and not respected.”
FAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pauw said she had begun talks with FAI over a new contract in March and that the federation had “committed to issuing an offer” before reconsidering their position.
“I believe that the review process which the association has carried out was flawed and that the outcome was pre-determined,” Pauw added.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
