Bohemians director of football Pat Fenlon feels Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe was "out of order" in the manner that she attempted to urge manager Vera Pauw to make changes during the final group game against Nigeria at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
That 0-0 draw on Monday ensured that the Girls in Green salvaged a point from their maiden major tournament appearance but it was slightly overshadowed by a flashpoint around the 70th minute when McCabe approached the touchline to ask for substitutions to be made.
Pauw confirmed the turn of events in her post-match press conference and added that while she had no issue with her captain making suggestions, it was ultimately her own decision if any changes were to be made.
Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday Sport, ex-Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Bohs manager Fenlon said McCabe could have made her point to Pauw behind closed doors.
"There can only be one manager and, for me, Katie was out of order. I think she's a brilliant player but there can only be one [manager]," he said.
"When you start to question the manager on the pitch... if that question wasn't asked on the pitch, we wouldn't be talking about any of this.
"There's a difference between being captain and overstepping your mark"
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"The manager and the contract thing would be there and we know it's there because you're coming towards the end of your contract.
"But without that, [the] questioning of the manager on the pitch has blown this out of proportion completely.
"No matter who's the manager, the players have to know who the manager is. And the manager is the manager.
"And the players, you can question a manager, you absolutely can, I've done that and been questioned as a manager, but never in that type of manner.
"You can't question a manager's authority in the middle of a game. Not for me anyway.
"The game is changing, I get that. The game is changing and that stuff is not for the better of the game because the manager has to be the manager."
Pauw's future as Ireland manager remains uncertain amid a review that will be conducted by the FAI.
While the team will swiftly return to action in September with an inaugural UEFA Nations League fixture against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Fenlon said making a quick decision on Pauw's future should not be the association's primary priority.
"How important is it to do it quickly? I think it's important to do it right," he said.
"Sometimes we've been critical and I've been critical of the FAI about them making odd decisions but they have to get all the facts here.
"All the things have to be laid out here. The players are at the coalface all the time working with the coaches. That should be the first port of call to see what the feedback is."
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