Former Leicester Women’s first-team boss Willie Kirk expressed feeling unfairly treated after being dismissed for engaging in a relationship with one of his players.
Kirk, who initially joined the club as Director of Football in July 2022, later assumed the managerial role amidst a challenging period in the Women’s Super League (WSL) season.
Despite the team’s struggles, Kirk played a pivotal role in securing their safety and orchestrating an unprecedented journey to the semi-finals of the FA Cup this season.
However, his tenure took a dramatic turn in March when he was suspended and subsequently fired for violating the team’s code of conduct due to his romantic involvement with a player.
Although Kirk acknowledged his wrongdoing, admitting to still being in a relationship with the player in question, he lamented feeling like a pariah within the club following his termination.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Kirk expressed his disappointment with the club’s handling of the situation, citing a perceived lack of consistency in how similar incidents had been addressed in the past.
“From admitting it, I was treated and felt like a criminal,” he told the Daily Mail. “I feel the club could have dealt with it better. I felt there was a lack of consistency with previous investigations.
“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.
“This wasn’t a manager exerting their power who said, ‘jump into bed with me and I’ll play you in the starting XI.’ I’ve just carried this hate, which is wrong, but it’s come from this frustration of not being able to speak about it.
“I’m not a criminal, I’ve not committed a crime. I’ve jeopardised an environment and that is a pretty big thing. The club made mistakes in the past, I came in, turned around a points gap that had never been turned around before, retained WSL status.
“Now I’ve made a mistake and they don’t want anything to do with me. I felt let down by the club in terms of that.” Despite his dismissal, Kirk still hopes to have a future working in women’s football.
“After 14 years of building my reputation, for it to be destroyed by one mistake, I feel would be harsh,” Kirk added. “It is my mistake and I should never have put myself in that position and I regret making that decision.
“I’m hoping that somebody is willing to see the good in me. I’m speaking to a couple of clubs outside the UK next week so hopefully something comes of that.”
He expressed a desire for an opportunity to address the staff and players directly, to provide his perspective and extend a personal apology, though he acknowledged the possibility that such efforts may not have altered the outcome.
Kirk vehemently refuted any suggestion of abusing his position of authority for personal gain, asserting that his actions were not driven by a desire to manipulate playing time or team selection. He conveyed the anguish of being unable to defend himself publicly, leading to a sense of isolation and frustration.
Despite the fallout from his dismissal, Kirk remains hopeful of continuing his career within the realm of women’s football.
He reflected on the years devoted to building his reputation in the sport and expressed optimism that his contributions would not be overshadowed by a single lapse in judgment. Kirk revealed ongoing discussions with clubs outside the UK, signaling his determination to move forward professionally.
Kirk’s account underscores the complexities inherent in managing personal relationships within professional sports environments and raises questions about the appropriate handling of such situations by clubs and governing bodies.