Vera Pauw not aligned with FAI's 'fundamental' approach

Vera Pauw's removal as Republic of Ireland manager was due to a "fundamental" difference in approach between her and the FAI, chief executive Jonathan Hill said in a press conference at Abbotstown this morning.

Flanked by the association's director of football Marc Canham, Hill said the decision not to offer Pauw a new contract last month was based on the findings of the post-World Cup review, which consisted of over 30 interviews with players, staff and wider personnel, including Pauw herself.

While the detailed findings were confidential, Hill said the review flagged "recurring themes such as training methods, the style and nature of sessions and approaches to conditioning".

"Vera was very clear, consistent and open in stating, not just to us but also to her staff and players, that she believed her approach....was absolutely the right one, and indeed one she had adhered to right across her entire career.

"We are not doubting that conviction nor indeed her beliefs, but we do feel it is important to recognise that in professional football, as in wider sport, there are always disagreements and, at times, subsequent tension around style and preparation.

"The manager had her views and believed in her approach. A number of players and indeed Marc, simply had a different position.

"And what we are saying then in simple terms is that we genuinely believe that in order to propel the next phase of growth for this team, and women's and girls’ football in Ireland more broadly, we feel we need a different and fresh approach.

"There were indeed differences of opinion, but these are part and parcel of the game but it was clear from conversations with Vera that she was not going to change her fundamental approach."

Speaking to RTÉ Sport