Aston Villa Football Club is currently reviewing the future of its women’s first-team manager, Robert de Pauw, following a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. This heavy loss has positioned the Midlands club precariously in ninth place in the league table, only a point above the relegation zone, prompting serious concerns about the direction of the team.
De Pauw, who took over the management reins in June on a three-year contract, has struggled to instil the necessary consistency, with the team securing just one victory from their first nine league matches this season. The mounting pressure has led senior staff members at Aston Villa to convene for discussions regarding his future, with the outcome of these talks likely influencing decisions ahead of Wednesday's pivotal League Cup Group E clash against Championship side Charlton Athletic.
While the league form is troubling, Aston Villa has the opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals of the League Cup, currently positioned second in Group E, albeit trailing Tottenham. Their progression will depend on favourable results in the remaining matches of the group stage.
Significantly, reports suggest that De Pauw did not conduct the customary training session on Tuesday, which has only intensified speculation regarding his status within the club. As it stands, Aston Villa has not made an official statement concerning the situation.
At 43, De Pauw arrives with a solid pedigree, having previously managed Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, where he achieved a commendable sixth-place finish in the Frauen Bundesliga last season, following a fifth-place outcome the year before. His managerial experience also includes a successful stint at FC Twente in the Netherlands, where he guided the team to a domestic double in 2022, and he has served roles within the youth system of the Dutch national team.
De Pauw succeeded Carla Ward, who had led Aston Villa for three years, achieving finishes of ninth, fifth, and seventh in the league during her tenure. As Aston Villa navigates this turbulent phase, the future of Robert de Pauw remains uncertain, with much resting on the upcoming encounter against Charlton Athletic – a match that holds the potential to reshape the club's trajectory this season.