“I’ve Not Committed a Serious Crime, But It Feels Like One” – Willie Kirk’s Fight for a Second Chance

One Year After His Dismissal, Willie Kirk Still Feels Punished

A year ago, Willie Kirk was on the rise in women’s football. A respected coach with experience at Everton, Bristol City, Hibernian, and Manchester United, he had transformed Leicester City Women from relegation battlers to a competitive Women’s Super League (WSL) team.

Then, on March 28, 2024, everything changed.

After admitting he was in a relationship with a player, Kirk was sacked for breaching Leicester’s code of conduct. Since then, the 46-year-old coach has struggled to find a way back into the game.

Now, still out of work despite applying for multiple jobs, he is asking a simple question:

“When will I get a second chance?”

No Job, No Interviews – Kirk Feels Shut Out

Despite his experience and track record, Kirk has found it impossible to land another role.

“I have applied for every WSL and Championship vacancy since I lost my job—apart from Arsenal and Manchester City,” Kirk told BBC Sport. “I never got one interview.”

He understands the sensitivity of the situation but believes his actions should not define his entire career.

“I let myself down in terms of what happened at Leicester. I understand why clubs haven’t wanted to get involved, I can see why people will be upset.

But in the grand scheme of things, I’ve not committed a serious crime. There is no jail term, but it feels like there has been one.”

Kirk remains in a happy relationship with the player in question, and they have lived together since August. However, that hasn’t stopped him from feeling exiled from football.

“I Knew the Code of Conduct – That’s Why I’ve Never Said I Shouldn’t Have Been Sacked”

Willie Kirk lines up alongside his Everton players at Wembley

Kirk was suspended by Leicester on March 8, 2024, just before an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, following a complaint from someone outside the club.

Three weeks later, he was dismissed after an internal investigation.

“I knew there was a code of conduct, I signed it like everyone else. As a first-team manager, you are there to lead by example, and that is why I have never said I shouldn’t have been sacked.”

Kirk admits he had a chance to deny the relationship but chose to be honest.

“I got pulled into a meeting on the Friday, 30 minutes before training, and was questioned about it.

Sometimes I think I should have denied it and taken it to the grave, but I don’t think that would have sat well with me. I admitted it, and that was it.”

The relationship began when Kirk was separated from his ex-wife, and the player was recovering from an injury. The pair traveled to Italy during the February international break, and the club found out soon after.

By the time Leicester’s investigation began, the two had already agreed to end things until the end of the season.

“We said, ‘We have taken this too far, this is too close for comfort. We need to put this on the back burner until the end of the season, and then one of us leaves the club. If we still feel this way, we can do something about it.’”

That decision, however, came too late.

Kirk’s Career Stalled – Is the Men’s Game His Way Back?

Willie Kirk encouraging his players at a match

After 14 years in women’s football, Kirk is desperate to return to the game—but so far, no club has been willing to take a chance on him.

“I have done enough in the game to deserve a second chance, but it’s not me that is going to decide that.

I need to keep doing what I am doing. Keep applying, keep working on myself. It’s frustrating, but it’s also understandable.”

Kirk is open to different roles, including a return to a director of football position—a role he previously held at Leicester. He is currently studying for a master’s degree in sporting directorship, preparing for any opportunity that may come his way.

But would a move into the men’s game offer him the fresh start he needs?

“It feels like I would be allowed to go and do my job and wouldn’t be prejudiced against if I get into the men’s game.

It would be a clean break.”

While his heart is in women’s football, Kirk knows he may need to look elsewhere if clubs in the WSL remain unwilling to give him a second chance.

“It Affects Everything – Professionally, Personally, Financially”

Kirk is not the first manager in women’s football to be in a relationship with a player, but he hopes he will be the last.

“It was quite public. I hope people think, ‘We cannot do this.’”

His year out of work has taken a toll on every aspect of his life.

“I have learned a hell of a lot, and you never want to go through a year like I have been through.

It affects everything—your professional life, your personal life, your finances, your emotional well-being.”

He continues to co-parent his four-year-old son with his ex-wife and has applied for coaching roles abroad that would allow him to stay close to his family.

Kirk has not ruled out international management and would even consider dropping to a lower league if it meant returning to coaching.

“Being part of the evolution of the game, I just want to remain part of it.”

Is There a Path Back for Kirk?

Kirk is remorseful about how things unfolded, but he stands by his belief that he deserves another opportunity.

“It will never be acceptable, but when will it be accepted?

Obviously, I’m going to say this about myself when I am trying to find a job, but the statistics show there is a good manager out of work.

I get it, but when will somebody say enough is enough—this person deserves a second chance?”

For now, he waits—sending applications, continuing his education, and hoping that one club, somewhere, will decide he is worth the risk.

Final Thoughts: A Career at a Crossroads

Willie Kirk’s situation raises difficult questions about ethics, second chances, and the unwritten rules of football.

✅ He broke a code of conduct—but he was honest about it.
✅ He lost his job—but has received no chance to redeem himself.
✅ He wants to return—but the sport has shut its doors.

The football world loves a redemption story. But will it extend that same opportunity to Willie Kirk?

For now, the answer remains unclear.

But Kirk is still knocking on the door—and sooner or later, someone might just open it.