Vera Pauw: My time was up before the World Cup started

Vera Pauw knew her time as Republic of Ireland's women's manager was up before she departed for last summer's World Cup, stating again that FAI CEO Jonathan Hill undermined her role in his communication with the players.

Just weeks after guiding the Girls in Green to the tournament in Australia, Pauw was told that her contract with the FAI would not be renewed, this after a review of the World Cup sought input from players, staff and the Dutch native.

Speaking exclusively to RTÉ at the time, Pauw also said she turned down two job offers as she believed she'd be staying on as Ireland manager.

She accused FAI executives of undermining her role as manager by speaking to staff members and players regarding their roles in the team before and after the tournament in Australia.

She accused the FAI executive, led by Hill, of reneging on a promised contract offer, claiming that she was told that an offer for a new contract would be made before the squad flew to Australia ahead of the tournament.

Pauw says that trust broke down between her and senior figures at the FAI and that she offered the FAI a way out by concluding that The Athletic report into her time in charge of Houston Dash based on anonymous allegations had a major influence and that those issues would not disappear. She denied allegations of excessive control over her players during her time there.

Months on from her departure, Pauw, speaking to Second Captains' Episode with Richie Sadlier, when asked whether she knew she would not be offered a new contract prior to her leaving for Australia, she said: "Yes".

She continued: "Because of the way Jonathan Hill was treating the situation, talking with players, meeting with players, instigating an atmosphere that is not part of