Vera Pauw 'destroyed' by Diane Caldwell comments

Former Republic of Ireland women's team manager Vera Pauw has said she was "destroyed" by comments from defender Diane Caldwell.

Pauw had left Ireland on bad terms with some players after the World Cup, and Caldwell was one of them, claiming Ireland's historic qualification for the tournament was "in spite" of the manager.

“From my position as a pretty experienced player, I don’t think it was up to the standard that’s expected at international level,” Caldwell said (on Pauw's coaching methods).

“The results and performances that we got were in spite of Vera being our coach. We approached her many times about professionalising many aspects but it was hard to get change.

“They (the FAI) have listened to the stakeholders in this team. These girls are good but we can actually be getting more out of them and performing at a higher level and achieving more success than what they have been.”

In an interview on the Second Captain's podcast, Pauw responded to the criticism.

“Where in men's football would a player be given be given the opportunity, who's only played so few minutes (for their club), to go to the World Cup and be apart of it?

“In our conversations, all the other technical staff members wanted to put her on the table as a discussion point.

“I have said Diane Caldwell is not a discussion point. So I protected her and she does this to me. I was angry, I was destroyed, I was probably everything that she wanted me to feel.”

Host Richie Sadlier then asked how Pauw would have responded if a player in her squad spoke about a previous manager in that vein.

“I would have said you can go up to your room, pack your bag and leave the camp."

She also said she was disappointed in her former assistant Eileen Gleeson, who is the