Vera Pauw has been appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates’ women’s team, her first such role in the game since the Football Association of Ireland opted not to offer her a new contract after the 2023 World Cup.
The UAE, who are ranked a lowly 116 in the world, will be the seventh national side Pauw will manage after her spells with Scotland, the Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Thailand and the Republic of Ireland, her only club stint a controversial one with Houston Dash.
The 62-year-old Dutch woman’s departure from the Irish job was shrouded in controversy too after she had led the team to its first ever World Cup qualification, her expectation being that her contract would be extended in light of that achievement.
But after a review following the campaign, led by FAI director of football Marc Canham, it was decided that the association would part company with Pauw, partly because by then it was evident there had been a breakdown in her relations with some of her players.
Speaking about her latest role, Pauw said: “I was the first female professional player and also the first to hold the Pro Licence in my home country, the Netherlands.
“I am proud of my journey that brought me from the European finals with the Netherlands, the Olympic Games with South Africa and the maiden appearance of the Republic of Ireland at a World Cup. Now I am on a day to write a new chapter in the history of the game with fantastic people around me in the UAE. I am ready.”
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