Willie Kirk

Willie Kirk (born 7 June 1978) is a Scottish football manager who is head coach of Women's Super League 2 club Durham WFC.

Playing career Kirk played semi-professional football for Pumpherston FC, Whitburn FC, and Preston Athletic, later agreeing to manage the team in the 2014–15 Lowland Football League season.

Managerial career

Livingston FC Academy Kirk began his coaching career at Livingston FC as an assistant academy coach to Derek McWilliams for the club's under-14 team in December 2006. He advanced to head coach of the under-14 team the following season, before progressing to the under-15 team, and finally the under-17 team before being headhunted by Hibernian FC. Kirk followed up the 2010 cup title by winning the Scottish League Cup in 2011, whilst also 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. Kirk's subsequent seasons would see back-to-back eighth-place finishes, maintaining safety in the women's top flight.

Manchester United In June 2018, Kirk joined the coaching staff at the newly formed Manchester United as assistant coach to Casey Stoney.

Everton In December 2018, Kirk was appointed manager of Everton after being offered the number one position of a top flight team. His debut as manager of the Blues was a victory, defeating rivals Liverpool 2–1. On 16 October 2021, Kirk left his position.

Leicester City

In July 2022, Kirk was appointed as director of football at Leicester City. On 3 November 2022, Kirk was appointed as manager, following the departure of Lydia Bedford. On , it was reported that Leicester had suspended Kirk and launched an investigation into an alleged relationship between him and one of the players. The investigation prompted several other managers in women's football to comment that relationships between managers and players are inappropriate. On , Leicester sacked Kirk as a result of the investigation having found that he had "breached the team's code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable".

Durham WFC On 7 July 2026, it was announced that Kirk had been named head coach of Women's Super League 2 club Durham WFC.

Honours Hibernian Women Scottish Women's Premier League Cup: 2011 Scottish Women's Cup: 2010, runners-up: 2011

Individual Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year: 2013 Women's Super League Manager of the Month: November 2019, October 2023