The Republic of Ireland Women's team's World Cup journey ended yesterday with a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Brisbane, but the game and result have become secondary due to an issue between Ireland's captain Katie McCabe and Ireland's head coach Vera Pauw.
During the game, McCabe asked Pauw to bring on 'fresh legs' and substitute someone else. Sinead Farrelly was apparently the target of McCabe's request.
Pauw ignored McCabe's pleas, and Farrelly was not brought off. Pauw finally made an 84th-minute substitution when she introduced Marissa Sheva and Abbie Larkin for Heather Payne and Lily Agg. Diane Caldwell was also brought on.
Ireland is due to have a homecoming event planned for Thursday on Dublin's O'Connell Street, but it appears that tensions between Ireland's players and Pauw are reaching a breaking point.
There is no clarity if Pauw will be part of the homecoming, and there has been no clarity in Vera Pauw's future, as she confirmed last week that there was no update on a contract extension.
Yesterday, when asked why she didn't honor McCabe's request for a substitution, Pauw said, "Why would we change?" in response to her captain's request.
"If Katie McCabe wants a change, it doesn't mean she's the coach. Everybody was doing so well. So I said 'what do you want Katie, taking the best player off?' No. A player is allowed to be emotional, is allowed to say that, it’s fine. But during the game, I step back and analyze and make changes that are necessary."
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— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) July 31, 2023
Pauw then stressed, "No, no, no, because a player doesn't ask and you refuse. A player can ask always, but as a coach, it’s not a refusal, as a coach you make decisions on what is necessary.
"A player can say anything to the coach, at least to me. Sinead Farrelly was arguably the best player on the pitch at that moment, so I was not prepared to take the best player off."
McCabe then tweeted on her own account with an emoji, indicating her silence on the matter, which has only increased the speculation around a rift between Pauw and her.
Social media users have offered mixed takes on the tweet, with some backing the Ireland captain, while others have supported Pauw in the affair.
One user said, "Her ego is unbearable at times, no doubt an unbelievable player, but all the media attention she has received recently and this 'hard man' image has really got to her head. Trying her very best to make silly fouls and get booked to live up to her new reputation." While another said, "Pauw unnecessarily throwing her players under the bus finally reached breaking point I see. Sad note to end this all on. A very odd manager."
On the other hand, others defended Pauw in the affair, saying, "It's a pity Ireland's World Cup campaign is ending in such a messy way. No player can start trying to play manager on the pitch. Vera Pauw deserves more respect." Another Twitter user explained, "Anyone else feel really uncomfortable with the narrative evolving regarding Vera Pauw? Feels incredibly disrespectful and strange."
