Speaking post-match, Vera Pauw revealed that there was an exchange between her and Ireland captain Katie McCabe during the second half of the final World Cup Group B match against Nigeria.
According to sources, McCabe seemingly insisted that Vera Pauw make player changes, claiming that she (McCabe) "wanted fresh legs on her side." Pauw implied that McCabe had wanted Sinead Farrelly to be subbed off, but the coach refused:
"Why would we change? If Katie McCabe says she wants a change, she is not the coach. Players are allowed to be emotional. Players are allowed to say that. That's fine."
"A player can say anything to a coach. At least to me. She said she wanted fresh legs on her side. I didn't change because everyone was playing well. Sinead Farrelly was one of the best on the pitch. I wasn't going to take her off."
Sinead Farrelly played the full 90 minutes for the first time for Ireland, having played just over an hour during the matches against Australia and Canada.
Following the circulation of this exchange on social media, the Arsenal star posted the following Tweet:
🤐
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) July 31, 2023
While the tweet is seen as ambiguous, there could be multiple reasons behind McCabe's choice of an emoji. Is Katie implying that she will not be commenting on this subject? Is she claiming to not agree with Pauw's decision to reveal the half-time conversation to the media?
Regardless, Pauw has revealed that she is confident in being handed a contract extension, having said: "I don't feel this is my last game because we are going home from a World Cup. Why would I not be at the homecoming? I go back with me team. Otherwise I would have stayed here and enjoyed the World Cup."
Vera Pauw was appointed as Ireland Women's National Team Manager on 4 September 2019. Having represented the Netherland's over 85 times, she moved into coaching in 1998 and has since been in charge of five different national teams.
She led Ireland to win 14 matches, including a third place finish in the 2022 Pinatar Cup and guided the team to their first ever major tournament - FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The latest term of her near four-year stay officially ends next month.
