Willie Kirk seeks redemption: Former Leicester Women's manager hopes for a second chance after personal controversy

Former Leicester City Women's manager Willie Kirk has opened up about his controversial exit from the club and his desire to return to football. The 46-year-old Scot was dismissed in March 2024 after admitting to a relationship with a player, which breached the club's code of conduct.

A year in football exile

Kirk has spent the past year applying for vacancies across the Women's Super League and Championship, though he acknowledges the challenges he faces:

"I've applied for every WSL and Championship vacancy since I lost my job," Kirk told BBC Sport. "I never got one interview. I understand why clubs haven't wanted to get involved."

The former manager, who guided Leicester from the bottom of the WSL to safety in his first season, described the past year as "feeling like a jail term" despite not committing any criminal offense.

Career crossroads

With 14 years experience in women's football, including spells at Everton, Bristol City, and Hibernian, Kirk is now open to roles in both women's and men's football:

• Currently studying for Masters in Sporting Directorship
• Willing to consider roles abroad to maintain co-parenting responsibilities
• Open to international management opportunities

"I have done enough in the game to deserve a second chance," Kirk stated, though acknowledging "it's not me that is going to decide that."

The controversial relationship

The situation developed when Kirk was separated from his ex-wife. He admitted the relationship crossed professional boundaries:

1. Relationship began while player was injured
2. International break trip to Italy together
3. Club investigation followed in March 2024

Kirk maintains he wouldn't change his honesty about the situation despite the consequences, saying "I don't think that would have sat well with me."

Looking forward

Kirk hopes his very public dismissal might serve as a warning to others in women's football:

"I hope people think 'we cannot do this'. I've learned a hell of a lot and you never want to go through a year like I have."

While preferring to stay in women's football where he has "unfinished business," Kirk acknowledges that the men's game might offer a "clean break" from the controversy.

The former manager remains philosophical about his future: "The statistics show there is a good manager out of work. When will somebody say enough is enough?"