Ireland defender Diane Caldwell has criticized her former coach, Vera Pauw, stating that the group reached the Women’s Planet Cup “in spite” of her. Caldwell believes that Pauw failed to get the very best out of the players due to inadequate preparations. Pauw led Ireland to their very first significant tournament this year in Australia and New Zealand, exactly where they have been eliminated in the group stage. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) performed a critique of the team’s functionality and decided not to renew Pauw’s contract.

According to Caldwell, the benefits and performances accomplished by the group have been accomplished in spite of Pauw’s coaching. She highlighted that preparations for games have been not up to the common anticipated at the international level. Caldwell pointed out that physical preparation, opponent evaluation, match techniques, in-game match techniques, modifications, and systems of play could have been improved. The players had requested Pauw to professionalize several elements of their preparations.

Pauw, who has been replaced by interim coach Eileen Gleeson, has claimed that FAI executives undermined her position at the Planet Cup. She also pointed out that the FAI’s attitude towards her changed immediately after allegations of “abusive and inappropriate” behavior for the duration of her time as manager of the Houston Dash in the American top rated-flight NWSL have been published.

It remains to be noticed how Ireland performs beneath their new interim coach and how they prepare for future competitions. The group will aim to discover from their experiences at the Planet Cup and continue to strengthen their functionality on the international stage.