Willie Kirk has been appointed as the new head coach of Durham Women in the Women's Super League 2, marking a controversial return to English football two years after his dismissal by Leicester City Women for a code of conduct breach.
Appointment: Willie Kirk becomes Durham Women head coach
Previous Role: Djurgårdens IF (Damallsvenskan, Sweden)
Leicester Sacking: March 2024 for breaching club code of conduct
Durham's 2025-26 Finish: 10th in WSL 2
A Divisive Return to English Football
The 48-year-old was sacked by Leicester in March 2024 after an internal investigation confirmed he had engaged in a physical relationship with a player, a clear violation of the club's code of conduct. While player-coach relationships are not illegal when no minors are involved, they are widely condemned in women's football for creating an inherent power imbalance that can put young women at risk.
Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, has previously described such relationships as "very inappropriate" and "not healthy", echoing the concerns of safeguarding officers and player unions. The WSL and Championship licence requires every club to have a designated safeguarding officer, and codes of conduct are standard.
Durham's official statement announcing the appointment made no reference to Kirk's past misconduct. Last year, Kirk himself spoke publicly about the need for a second chance, revealing he had applied for every women's first-team vacancy in England barring Arsenal and Manchester City without securing a single interview. "I've not committed a serious crime, there's no jail term, but it feels like one," he said at the time.
Kirk's Managerial Journey and Durham's Project
Kirk brings 16 years of experience in the women's game, having previously managed Everton, Bristol City, and Hibernian, while also serving as assistant coach at Manchester United. Most recently, he was in charge of Swedish top-flight side Djurgårdens IF and managed Linköping in the Damallsvenskan last year.
Durham, who finished 10th in the 2025-26 WSL 2 season, announced in March that former head coach Adam Furness would move into a new role within the club. Director of Durham Women Lee Sanders said:
"We're delighted to have Willie coaching the first team. His experience and track record of success in developing top players speaks for itself."
Kirk himself expressed enthusiasm:
"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. I believe in creating an environment where people are challenged, supported and driven to improve every day."
Key Takeaways
- Willie Kirk ends a two-year exile from English football, taking over at Durham after a spell in Sweden.
- His 2024 dismissal by Leicester for a player relationship remains a divisive topic in the women's game.
- Durham's announcement avoided any mention of the scandal, focusing solely on Kirk's coaching credentials.
- Kirk has previously pleaded for a second chance, acknowledging the gravity of his mistake but arguing he should not be permanently exiled.
- The appointment comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over player-coach relationships and safeguarding in women's football.
