Former Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw has returned to international management after being named the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates women's team.
Pauw parted company with Ireland in August 2023 after the FAI decided against renewing her contract. She had just led Ireland to their first ever appearance at a World Cup, where they drew one and lost two of their three group games.
It was a fractious end to what had been largely a highly successful reign.
Pauw accused FAI executives of undermining her role as manager by speaking to staff members and players regarding their roles in the team before and after the tournament in Australia.
"The FAI did not have social behaviour to at least take a month's notice to tell me, because that is normal HR activity isn't it? To give your employer the time to find something," she said in an interview with RTÉ Sport.
Now, the 62-year-old is back in the game, taking over a country ranked 116th in the world.
Pauw – who has also previously managed Scotland, the Netherlands, Russia and South Africa – is embracing a fresh challenge.
"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," she said.
"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."
