Willie Kirk has been appointed head coach of women’s second-tier side Durham, two years after he was sacked by Leicester City for having a relationship with a player.
Kirk, who joined Leicester as director of football in 2022 before becoming manager in November of that year, was dismissed in April 2024 after an internal disciplinary process found he had ‘breached the team’s code of conduct’.
Player-coach relationships are not illegal – provided no minors are involved – and Kirk revealed to Daily Mail Sport six weeks after his dismissal that a staff member from another WSL club had reported him to Leicester.
The 48-year-old has spent the past two years working in Sweden, first at Linkoping and then at Djurgardens IF. This is his first job back in England since his dismissal.
Durham’s statement made no mention of the circumstances surrounding his departure from Leicester. Daily Mail Sport has contacted the club for comment, as well as the FA and the PFA.
Kirk’s dismissal prompted a wider debate about player-coach relationships in football, with former Chelsea women’s head coach Emma Hayes describing them as ‘inappropriate’.
Kirk has been appointed head coach of women’s second-tier side Durham, two years after he was sacked by Leicester City for having a relationship with a player
Both former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes (left) and former Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward (right) condemned player-coach relationships at the time
Former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward added: ‘Our job and our duty is to protect players, first and foremost. So to cross that line is unacceptable and it can’t happen.
‘It makes me very angry because we’re here to set an environment, a comfortable place that people come to work, where they feel safe, where they feel backed, where they feel looked after.’
Reaction to Kirk’s appointment on social media has been largely one-sided, with many questioning the process that led to Durham’s decision.
Kirk told Daily Mail Sport in 2024 that he ‘knew (the relationship) was wrong’ and that he ‘felt like a criminal’. He admitted to the relationship and, following a three-week investigation, was sacked for gross misconduct. Kirk unsuccessfully appealed the decision. The player remains at the club.
‘It’s on me, it’s my fault, I should never have gone through with anything,’ he said at the time.
‘There is a code of conduct, I was involved with putting it in place, I was certainly involved with living by it on a day-to-day basis and trying to drive our standards, so it is absolutely ridiculous that I’m the one that’s broken it.
‘I think the way it was dealt with created a lot of uncertainty and rumours and counter-rumours. I don’t think that helped the players or the staff.
‘As difficult as it would have been, I felt I was due an audience with the staff and the players to explain myself and apologise face-to-face and to give my side of the story.
‘It might not have kept me there, but we’ll never know.’
Only two weeks ago, it was confirmed that South Shields co-owner Geoff Thompson had agreed a deal to acquire a majority shareholding in the club, effectively securing its future
A year after being sacked, Kirk called for a second chance, revealing he had yet to receive an interview despite applying for every WSL and English women’s second-tier vacancy, apart from those at Arsenal and Manchester City.
‘Durham has established itself as a respected club with strong values and a clear identity, and I’m excited by the opportunity to work with the players and staff to build on those foundations,’ Kirk said following his appointment.
‘I believe in creating an environment where people are challenged, supported and driven to improve every day.’
Durham finished 10th in WSL2 last season and announced in March that head coach Adam Furness would move into a new role within the club.
Kirk has spent 16 years in the women’s game and previously managed Everton, Bristol City and Hibernian, with a stint also as an assistant coach at Manchester United.
‘We’re delighted to have Willie coaching the first-team,’ director of Durham Women Lee Sanders added.
‘His experience and track record of success in developing top players speaks for itself.’
Until recently, the club’s future had been uncertain after it issued a desperate call for a takeover when potential investment collapsed, leaving it at risk of losing its professional status. Players and staff were told the club would have to ‘cease operations at all levels’ if a buyer was not found within 21 days.
Only two weeks ago, it was confirmed that South Shields co-owner Geoff Thompson had agreed a deal to acquire a majority shareholding in the club – which is unaffiliated from a men’s side – effectively securing its future.
Daily Mail Sport has also contacted Thompson for comment.
