Willie Kirk

Willie Kirk (born 7 June 1978) is a Scottish football manager and former player who is currently the manager of FA WSL club Leicester City.

Willie Kirk
Personal information
Date of birth (1978-06-07) 7 June 1978[1]
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Team information
Current team
 Leicester City (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Preston Athletic
Managerial career
2010–2014 Hibernian
2014–2015 Preston Athletic (men)
2015–2018 Bristol City
2018 Manchester United (assistant)
2018–2021 Everton
2022– Leicester City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Kirk played non-League football for Preston Athletic and agreed to manage the team in the 2014–15 Lowland Football League season.[2]

Managerial career

Livingston FC Academy

Kirk began his managerial career at Livingston FC as an assistant academy coach for the club's under-14 team in October 2006. He advanced to head coach of the under-14 team and took over head coaching position for the next age group up to the under-17 team.[1]

Hibernian

In March 2009, Kirk joined the academy coaching staff at Hibernian F.C. to coach the under-17 team. Ultimately, Kirk earned the head coaching position of Hibernian L.F.C.[1] His first season in charge of Hibernian led to winning the 2010 Scottish Cup.[3] Kirk followed up the 2010 Cup title by winning Scottish League Cup title, finishing as runners-up in the Scottish Cup, and third position in the table. The 2013 season saw Hibernian finishing second and Kirk earning Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year award.[3]

Bristol City

In April 2015, Kirk made the move to England and was appointed manager of Bristol City competing in the FA WSL.[3] After a rough season, Bristol City was relegated to WSL 2, finishing in last place after the 2015 season. The relegation was short lived, as Kirk's Bristol City rallied in the WSL 2 finishing second during the WSL season and earned promotion back to the FA WSL 1.[4] Kirk's subsequent seasons would see back-to-back eighth place finishes, maintaining safety in the women's top flight.[5]

Manchester United

In June 2018, Kirk joined the coaching staff at the newly formed Manchester United W.F.C. as an assistant to Casey Stoney.[6]

Everton

In December 2018, Kirk was appointed manager of Everton after being offered the number one position of a top flight team.[7] His debut as manager of the Blues was a victory, defeating rivals Liverpool 2–1.[8]

Kirk left his position as manager of the Everton Women’s team on 16 October 2021.[9]

Leicester City

In July 2022, Kirk was appointed as director of football at Leicester City.[10] On 3 November 2022, Kirk was appointed as manager following the departure of Lydia Bedford.[11]

Executive career

In July 2022, Kirk joined FA WSL club Leicester City as their first-ever director of football for both the first team and the academy.[10]

Honours

Hibernian Women

Individual

  • Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year: 2013

References
  1. O'Neill, Jen (28 January 2019). "In Conversation: Everton Ladies' Manager Willie Kirk chats openly about Manchester United, the pull of being the boss & more…". She Kicks. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  2. "New boss Willie Kirk hopes to keep Preston Athletic in Lowland League". East Lothian Courier. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  3. Michael Plant (28 June 2018). "Kirk's Journey to United". Manchester United. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  4. "Kirk: I Couldn't Turn Down Everton Opportunity". Everton. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  5. "Everton Ladies Coaching Staff". Everton. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  6. John Hislop (29 June 2018). "Former Hibs' manager Willie Kirk joins Manchester United". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  7. "Willie Kirk Appointed New Ladies Manager". Everton. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  8. "Willie Kirk leading the Everton revolution". The FA. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  9. "Club Statement: Willie Kirk". EvertonFC. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  10. "LCFC Women Appoint Willie Kirk As Director Of Football, Women & Girls". www.lcfc.com.
  11. "Leicester: Willie Kirk replaces Lydia Bedford as Foxes boss". BBC Sport. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
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