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

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.

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 "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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