Diane Caldwell: Results Ireland achieved were in spite of Vera Pauw

Ireland veteran Diane Caldwell has launched a withering attack on Vera Pauw, adamant the team achieved success in spite of the former manager.

The Dutchwoman endured an incredible plummet from the history of leading Ireland the World Cup to being relieved of her within three weeks of their tournament ending.

Caldwell only played the last few minutes of Ireland’s final game against Nigeria and the 97-times capped defender is glad the FAI listened to feedback by enlisting Eileen Gleeson on an interim basis to lead the Nations League campaign, starting on Saturday against Northern Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

“From my position as a pretty experienced player, I don’t think it was up to the standard that’s expected at international level,” said Caldwell who recently joined FC Zurich.

“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.

“She obviously made myself as part of the leadership group that she created along with a few other players and she gave us that position to use our voice and try to talk on behalf of the team.

“We tried to do that as a group as best we could but at the end of the day she’s the coach and controls everything and you can only say and try to change so much.” 

Asked about Pauw losing the dressing-room, Caldwell added: “I think it was just an accumulation of everything over a long time.

“After the European campaign myself and Katie also reflected with Ruud Dokter at the time about certain aspects that need to be improved and changed but ultimately that fell on deaf ears and she got a contract extension.

“This gives us all a new lease of life, there’s a new beginning and like I