Stephen Kenny has praised Vera Pauw for the job she has done as Republic of Ireland women’s manager.
Pauw wasn’t offered a new contract despite leading the Irish team to their first ever World Cup but speaking on Thursday, Kenny said that Pauw can none-the-less be proud of her achievements.
The former Dundalk, Derry City and Shamrock Rovers boss says that himself and Pauw had a great relationship and that, as well as speaking to her after the World Cup in Australia, they also spoke over the phone since her sacking.
Kenny, the 51-year-old Tallaght native was speaking to reporters as he named his Ireland squad for their upcoming Euro qualifiers against France and Netherlands
“Vera’s legacy is that Ireland qualified for the World Cup and it’s a great achievement and she did a terrific job as Ireland manager in our time,” said Kenny.
“I had a good relationship, I spoke to her after she came back from Australia, she actually rang me this morning and I spoke to her this morning.
“It wasn’t the ending she wanted, but she can be very proud of her achievements as manager of the women’s team and she did a terrific job.”
Former Republic of Ireland international David O’Leary, Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny and Republic of Ireland women’s manager Vera Pauw during the FAI Centenary Late Late Show Special at RTE Studios in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Former Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney also praised Pauw for her contribution to Irish women’s football.
“But her legacy will shine better in time. She broke through that glass-ceiling,” he said on Virgin Media.
“She inspired a generation of young girls to take up the sport, to increase the player pool size in Ireland.
"How it's two matches I'll just never know"
Stephen Kenny airs his frustration after Matt Doherty saw his suspension for the red card received in Greece in June extended to two games which means the defender will miss next week's qualifier against France #COYBIG #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/22OIEw6Br8
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2023
“I remember as a young boy watching Italia ’90, USA ’94, that was what got us into football, made us want to be professional footballers.
“Hopefully there’s a generation of young girls and in time, people will look back on Vera Pauw with a favourable tone.”
𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 | France & Netherlands
Shane Duffy, Aaron Connolly, Festy Ebosele, Will Keane, Chiedozie Ogbene, Enda Stevens & Ryan Manning all return to the squad 🇮🇪
07/09 – 🇫🇷🆚🇮🇪
10/09 – 🇳🇱🆚🇮🇪Exciting squad for two huge fixtures 💫 pic.twitter.com/KvcqzN9jv8
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 31, 2023
Meanwhile, Kenny has recalled Shane Duffy and Aaron Connolly to the Ireland squad as well as Ryan Manning, Enda Stevens and Will Keane. Udinese’s Festy Ebosele has also been called up to the squad for the first time.
