The new Ireland women’s national team head coach, Vera Pauw, has praised to work of her predecessor and said she will be building from a solid foundation.
Speaking to Jamie Moore on the Off The Ball League of Ireland podcast, Pauw outlined her approach to her new job.
“Colin [Bell] and Thomas [O’Connor] did a terrific job with the team so we’re not going to turn everything upside down because why would you do that when a team is developing in such a great way?
“The first thing that we’re going to do is get all the coaches together and I’m going to visit all the clubs.
“Then Sue Ronan is going to help me dive into the history of the game [here] because that is really important to make the right decisions at the right moments,” Pauw said.
Pauw was in the crowd in Tallaght Stadium last night watching her new team beat Montenegro 2-0. With a long career managing in the women’s game, she prides herself on how she’s introduced sustainable structures everywhere she has managed.
Although she has yet to decide who will be part of her coaching staff, she says discussions have begun with the FAI on how to continue growing women’s football in Ireland.
“One thing I’ve made sure of everywhere I’ve coached is that the development continues after I leave.
“My staff will be built with that in mind, with people who will take the game to the next level and continue to grow after I leave.
“The structure will be consistent so everything won’t fall apart like what happens in a lot of countries in women’s football. By working this way in every country I’ve coached, the team continues to grow after I’ve left,” she said.
Ruud Dokter’s influence was an important factor in Pauw deciding to take this opportunity. She credits her compatriot’s similar philosophy as thing that will make her job easier.
“His influence was especially [big] because of the philosophy of Ireland is now using in their football. I’ve been in many situations where I’ve had to argue for my methods.
“So he did not have to convince me from a technical point of view because we have the same ideas.
“The choice was easy because it’s so good to work in a situation where everyone understands each other and are chosen for a certain style of teaching players and I’m really excited to work in that environment,” Vera Pauw said.
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