Robert de Pauw leaves with Aston Villa one point above the relegation zone.Photograph: Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Aston Villa have confirmed that their women’s team manager Robert de Pauw has left with immediate effect. The announcement came hours before their Women’s League Cup group game against Charlton on Wednesday and comes with Villa one point above the Women’s Super League relegation zone.
The Guardian revealed on Tuesday that the club were considering the Dutchman’s future, and in the early hours of WednesdayDe Pauw posted a cryptic update on LinkedIn. His post made no reference to Villa but he wrote about “never shying away from difficult decisions” rather than trying to “win a popularity contest”, before posting a link to an article regarding his departure from Bayer Leverkusen.
After Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Arsenal Villa are ninth. De Pauw oversaw one victory in his nine league fixtures.
A Villa statement said: “We would like to thank Robert for his commitment during his time in charge and wish him well for the future. Shaun Goater will be in charge until a new manager is appointed and will be supported by the wider coaching team.”