Vera Pauw: Diane Caldwell says Republic’s World Cup qualification was ‘in spite’ of former boss

When asked if the end of Pauw’s tenure added pressure on the players, Caldwell pointed to 2017 when the players threatened to go on strike over conditions but backed up their demands with results on the pitch.

They subsequently won that battle with the FAI and came close to qualifying for Euro 2022 before their successful World Cup campaign.

Caldwell added that the players had approached Pauw “many times about professionalising many aspects but it was hard to get change”.

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

“We tried to do that as a group, the best we could, but at the end of the day she is the coach and she controls everything.

“You can only say and try to change so much. Again, I think it was an accumulation of everything over a long time.

“People not in the know will find it hard to understand and see from our point of view, but knowledge is your wealth and if you don’t know these things then it is probably wrong to speak out and give your opinion on things you maybe don’t have a full understanding of.”

The FAI appointed Eileen Gleeson as interim manager for the upcoming Nations League matches, the first of which is against Northern Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 23 September.

“I’m very happy there is change and it gives us all a new lease of life,” Caldwell said.

“Straight away, the level of professionalism. There are three new roles that have been introduced that we haven’t had before. That is a massive sign of intent from the association that we want to raise the level.

“It is a new beginning, and with the changes the FAI has made with the new roles, it just shows intent and standards are going to be raised.

“They have listened to the stakeholders in this team and realised that these girls are good but we can be getting even more out of them.

“They can be performing at a higher level and be achieving more success than what they have been.”