Aston Villa Women’s boss sacked hours after surprise social media post
Aston Villa Women have sacked manager Robert de Pauw after six months in charge. The club confirmed Shaun Goater, who made over 200 appearances as a player for Manchester City, will take charge on an interim basis until a new manager is appointed. Robert De Pauw has been sacked by Aston Villa WomenGetty Goater’s first game as interim manager is a Women’s League Cup match against Charlton Athletic Women on Wednesday. De Pauw was named Villa Women boss on June 29 as he took the reins from Carla Ward, who departed after three years in charge of the club. The Dutchman arrived after two years with Bayer Leverkusen Women in which he oversaw finishes of fifth and sixth in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons respectively. De Pauw received immediate backing in the transfer market as five-cap Lioness Katie Robinson and Brazilian international Gabi Nunes were among eight arrivals at Villa Park. However, results failed to materialise for Villa Women. The Midlands outfit failed to register a win in their opening seven Women’s Super League games before they finally broke the drought with a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace Women on November 17 thanks to Ebony Salmon’s 94th-minute winner. A 4-0 defeat away to Arsenal on Sunday ultimately proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. De Pauw’s exit also came less than 24 hours after he shared a cryptic post to his LinkedIn page. The Dutchman wrote: “Finding the balance between the short term and long term in the best interest for the team and club is not an easy thing. It comes with big sacrifices.” He added: “You need the backing of the club if you want the team to go from average, to good, to better, to top. Villa have won just once in the WSL this seasonGetty “This reselecting and developing of a team is necessary thing to do to make these steps. I did this in Leverkusen the past two seasons selecting on football, behaviour and characteristics of the players. “I never shy away from difficult decisions and I will certainly not win the popularity contests. Because you can never satisfy everyone. “But always keeping standards high to get the best out of the team and each other.” All eyes are now on who Villa Women will appoint as De Pauw’s successor. Former Lioness Casey Stoney, who was sacked by San Diego Wave in June, could emerge as a contender. Stoney previously managed Manchester United Women in the WSL and won the NWSL Shield with the Wave in 2023. Nick Cushing may emerge as a contender after he was sacked by NYCFCGetty Former Manchester City Women boss Nick Cushing is another potential name who may enter the mix. Cushing was recently sacked Major League Soccer (MLS) New York City FC and has also linked with taking over at Arsenal Women, who are yet to appoint Jonas Eidevall’s successor after he resigned on October 15.
Aston Villa Women have sacked manager Robert de Pauw after six months in charge.
The club confirmed Shaun Goater, who made over 200 appearances as a player for Manchester City, will take charge on an interim basis until a new manager is appointed.
Goater’s first game as interim manager is a Women’s League Cup match against Charlton Athletic Women on Wednesday.
De Pauw was named Villa Women boss on June 29 as he took the reins from Carla Ward, who departed after three years in charge of the club.
The Dutchman arrived after two years with Bayer Leverkusen Women in which he oversaw finishes of fifth and sixth in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons respectively.
De Pauw received immediate backing in the transfer market as five-cap Lioness Katie Robinson and Brazilian international Gabi Nunes were among eight arrivals at Villa Park.
However, results failed to materialise for Villa Women.
The Midlands outfit failed to register a win in their opening seven Women’s Super League games before they finally broke the drought with a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace Women on November 17 thanks to Ebony Salmon’s 94th-minute winner.
A 4-0 defeat away to Arsenal on Sunday ultimately proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
De Pauw’s exit also came less than 24 hours after he shared a cryptic post to his LinkedIn page.
The Dutchman wrote: “Finding the balance between the short term and long term in the best interest for the team and club is not an easy thing. It comes with big sacrifices.”
He added: “You need the backing of the club if you want the team to go from average, to good, to better, to top.
“This reselecting and developing of a team is necessary thing to do to make these steps. I did this in Leverkusen the past two seasons selecting on football, behaviour and characteristics of the players.
“I never shy away from difficult decisions and I will certainly not win the popularity contests. Because you can never satisfy everyone.
“But always keeping standards high to get the best out of the team and each other.”
All eyes are now on who Villa Women will appoint as De Pauw’s successor.
Former Lioness Casey Stoney, who was sacked by San Diego Wave in June, could emerge as a contender.
Stoney previously managed Manchester United Women in the WSL and won the NWSL Shield with the Wave in 2023.
Former Manchester City Women boss Nick Cushing is another potential name who may enter the mix.
Cushing was recently sacked Major League Soccer (MLS) New York City FC and has also linked with taking over at Arsenal Women, who are yet to appoint Jonas Eidevall’s successor after he resigned on October 15.
