Leicester City terminated manager Willie Kirk’s contract following an investigation into allegations of a relationship with a player, as reported by The Daily Mail. Kirk, a 45-year-old Scotsman, was suspended earlier this month pending an inquiry.
After conducting an internal disciplinary procedure, the club found Kirk to be in violation of their code of conduct, resulting in his dismissal after his two-year tenure.
In a statement following Kirk’s termination, Leicester City reaffirmed their dedication to professionalism and a performance-oriented environment.
The club highlighted that Kirk’s actions were seen as compromising his position and breaching the team’s code of conduct established at the start of the current season.
Willie Kirk initially joined Leicester City in July 2022 as the director of football before becoming manager in November.
Under his leadership, the team currently occupies the ninth spot in the Women’s Super League but has recently suffered defeats against Tottenham and Brighton. Nonetheless, they are gearing up to face Spurs in the FA Cup semi-finals in mid-April.
In the absence of Kirk, his assistant Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby will temporarily oversee the team until a successor is appointed.
This incident contributes to a growing trend in women’s football, as seen in Sheffield United’s Jonathan Morgan’s dismissal last month for a similar alleged relationship with a player.
These instances highlight the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in the sport and enforcing rigorous codes of conduct to preserve the integrity and reputation of women’s football.
