Vera Pauw is a globally recognized football coach, technical director, and pioneer in the development of women’s football, with over four decades of experience at the highest levels of the game. A former captain of the Dutch national team with 89 international caps, Pauw made history as the first female Dutch player to turn professional and the first woman in the Netherlands to earn the prestigious UEFA Pro License—achieving the highest score ever recorded.
Her coaching career spans five continents and includes leading national teams in the Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, Russia, Thailand, Ireland, and currently the United Arab Emirates. Under her leadership, the Republic of Ireland qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. She has also coached professionally in the NWSL with the Houston Dash, breaking multiple club records.
As a technical director, Pauw has shaped national strategies and development programs in multiple countries. She was instrumental in launching the Dutch Women’s Premier League and is known for her contributions to coach education, youth development pathways, and research on mixed-gender football. Her work with FIFA and UEFA spans decades, where she has served as an instructor, mentor, task force member, and technical analyst for numerous Women’s World Cups and European Championships.
Pauw holds a Master of Education from ALO Amsterdam and numerous certifications in coaching, sports science, and management. She is a lifelong advocate for equality in sport and has been honored globally for her contributions, including the Rinus Michels Lifetime Achievement Award, multiple Coach of the Year titles in Ireland, and an IOC Special Award for advancing women’s sport.
Currently serving as Head Coach of the UAE Women’s National Team and Technical Advisor to Hera United—the first professional women’s football club in the Netherlands—Vera Pauw continues to push boundaries, mentor the next generation of coaches, and build sustainable, inclusive football ecosystems worldwide.