According to a report from The Daily Mail, a 45-year-old Scottish individual was recently suspended from their position earlier in the month amid allegations that prompted an investigation.
Following an internal review conducted by the club, the individual, identified as Willie Kirk, was found to have violated the team’s code of conduct, leading to his dismissal after a tenure of two years at Leicester City Football Club.
In an official statement issued by Leicester City subsequent to Kirk’s termination, the club underscored its unwavering commitment to professionalism and a culture centered around performance.
The statement clarified that Kirk’s actions were deemed to have compromised his standing within the club, as they contravened the established code of conduct implemented at the commencement of the ongoing season.
“After undergoing a thorough internal disciplinary process and respecting the club’s obligations regarding individual privacy,
it was determined that Willie had breached the team’s code of conduct to an extent that rendered his position unsustainable.”
“Introduced and enforced ahead of the current season, the code serves as an integral part of the club’s ongoing efforts to elevate professionalism within women’s football since the acquisition of LCFC Women in 2020, promoting a culture driven by performance among players, coaches, and technical staff.”
Willie Kirk initially joined Leicester City in July 2022 in the capacity of director of football before assuming the role of manager in November, succeeding Lydia Bedford.
During his tenure, the team has held the ninth position in the Women’s Super League standings, though recent defeats against Tottenham and Brighton have posed challenges.
Despite setbacks, Leicester City finds themselves in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, slated to compete against Spurs in mid-April.
Following Kirk’s dismissal, interim oversight of the team will be entrusted to his assistant, Jennifer Foster, and first-team coach, Stephen Kirby, until a permanent replacement is secured.
This incident aligns with a broader trend observed in women’s football, with similar dismissals occurring, such as the termination of Sheffield United’s Jonathan Morgan just last month, purportedly due to a comparable alleged involvement with a player.
Such occurrences underscore the significance of upholding professional boundaries within the sport and enforcing rigorous codes of conduct to preserve the integrity and standing of women’s football.
