Inside Track: Kenny faces two crucial matches as Pauw departs
As one Republic of Ireland soccer manager departs, another prepares for arguably his toughest assignment, one which could determine where his side will be next season – on the sidelines or jousting for the continent’s biggest prize.
Vera Pauw wasn’t retained as coach of the ladies’ team.
The FAI didn’t renew her contract, this despite her leading her adopted country to a place previously unknown to an Irish ladies’ side. Stephen Kenny is still in situ, but if nothing comes from this Thursday night’s Euro 24 away match with France, or the Aviva meeting with Holland three days later, the Abbotstown blazers could be gathering again.
There are, however, other matches after that – against Gibraltar and Greece, and an away to Holland – but depending, of course, how things evolve over the next eight days, by garnering full points from the last three, Ireland could still get to next year’s Euro 2024 finals as a third-placed team.
It seems as if only an Ireland outright win at the World Cup would have saved Vera Pauw. There were issues with the Holland-born coach over her time in charge of teams in America prior to the trip Down Under, but these were unrelated to her post with Ireland.
While failing to win any of their three matches (one of them ended in a draw), her team performed well, winning praise from many quarters.
She had a very public spat with her top player, Katie McCabe, near the end of the draw with Nigeria. It didn’t look good, a player coming over to the line to tell the manager what to do. McCabe, it seemed, was working on her own bat when she complained with the line over a player not being brought on; but in the light of what Pauw had to say since being relieved of her post, it’s worth questioning if the team captain had come under the influence of people far away from the running of the team.
Who we’re talking about here are some, maybe not all, among the ranks of the aforementioned blazers.
In a statement, Pauw said: “My position (as coach) 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. In my opinion, no head coach in the world would accept interference of the executives in technical football affairs. Unfortunately trust broke down between me and certain people in the FAI.
“I believe the review process which the Association has carried out (since the tournament) was flawed and that the outcome (her failure to be reappointed) was pre-determined. Indeed, some discussions were held with players and staff before and during the World Cup which undermined my position and had an impact on the teambuilding process.”
At the time of writing, no response to Pauw’s allegations has come from the FAI. However, what she said is very serious, and if true – and there’s no reason to believe it’s not – reflects badly on the authorities.
It would be interesting to hear what McCabe, or any of the other players, have to say. Pauw revealed she and McCabe had made their peace, while several other members of the squad had got in contact with her to wish her well.
Stephen Kenny wouldn’t want any such hassle going into his team’s crucial ties, not that he’s likely to have it. He has named the strongest possible squad, putting an emphasis on experience. But while Matt Doherty is included, the Wolves clubman has to sit out the France tie due to suspension.
Goals win matches, and the more often Ireland get the ball to the head or feet of Evan Ferguson the better chance there is of Ireland upsetting the odds. The Brighton clubman is fitting in nicely to the role played by record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, before him and if he can come anywhere near to netting as many as his illustrious predecessor, he’ll do fine.
One or two on Thursday night could swing it his side’s way, helping to erase the memory of an infamous night at the same venue back in 2009, when a blatant Tierry Henry handball, leading to William Gallas scoring, was missed by the referee (There was no VAR at the time.) It caused Ireland to miss out on a place at the following year’s World Cup finals.
And if it happens Ireland manage to tame the French, what an occasion it would be, the Dutch coming to The Aviva on Sunday next.