Leicester City sack women’s manager amid allegations he had relationship with one of his players

Leicester City have sacked women’s first-team boss Willie Kirk after the club determined the Scot had ‘breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable’.

The 45-year-old last took charge of the Foxes when they lost 4-0 in the Women’s Super League to Chelsea on March 3, before the club subsequently announced that Kirk was ‘assisting the club with an internal process’ and would not be on the touchline for their March 9 FA Cup quarter-final.

Kirk’s then-assistant Jennifer Foster, supported by first team coach Stephen Kirby, oversaw that 2-0 victory and have remained at the helm since.

They will remain in charge until Kirk, who it has been alleged was involved in a relationship with one of his players, has been permanently replaced.

A Leicester statement read: ‘Leicester City Football Club can confirm that Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position as LCFC Women Manager.

‘Following an extensive internal disciplinary process and respecting the Club’s obligations to individual privacy, Willie was determined to have breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable.

‘Established and implemented ahead of the start of the current season, the code forms part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to professionalising the women’s game since the takeover of LCFC Women in 2020, promoting a performance-led culture among players, coaches and technical staff.

‘First Team responsibilities for LCFC Women will continue to be led by Jennifer Foster, supported by Stephen Kirby, while the Club begins the process of appointing a new permanent manager.’

The subject of player-coach relationships and even relationships between teammates has been a topic of much debate in recent weeks.

England boss Sarina Wiegman was questioned on the subject earlier this week and the Three Lions manager insisted relationships between players and coaches are ‘not healthy’ and ‘very inappropriate’.

think player-coach relations are very inappropriate. I think we should not accept that, that’s not healthy,’ said Weigman.

“I think in our environment, it’s a professional environment, it’s all about performing and it should always be safe.

‘Things can happen, but it’s inappropriate and we all should be very aware of that.’