Willie Kirk has been appointed head coach of Women's Super League 2 side Durham Women, marking his return to English football two years after he was sacked by Leicester City Women's team.

Kirk, 48, was dismissed by Leicester in March 2024 following an internal investigation that concluded he had been in a physical relationship with a player, a breach of the club's code of conduct. Durham's official announcement made no reference to the circumstances of that departure.

A Controversial Return

The appointment has already drawn scrutiny. Personal relationships between coaches and players in the women's game carry no specific legal prohibition — provided no minors are involved — but they are widely considered to create a damaging power imbalance within a squad. England manager Sarina Wiegman has previously described such relationships as "very inappropriate" and "not healthy", and the subject remains sensitive across the professional game.

Codes of conduct governing player-coach relationships are a condition of clubs obtaining a WSL licence, and every club at that level is required to have a safeguarding officer in place. BBC Sport has reached out to Durham, the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association for comment on the appointment.

A year after losing his Leicester role, Kirk spoke publicly about his search for work, revealing he had applied for every WSL and second-division vacancy in England bar Arsenal and Manchester City without receiving a single interview. He described the experience as feeling like a punishment far exceeding what he believed warranted.

A Coach With Considerable Experience

Whatever the controversy surrounding his exit from Leicester, Kirk's CV in the women's game is extensive. He has spent 16 years working at clubs across the women's football pyramid, managing Everton, Bristol City and Hibernian, and serving as assistant coach at Manchester United Women. He guided Leicester from the foot of the Women's Super League table to safety during the 2022-23 season, overturning what was described as a record points deficit.

Most recently, Kirk worked in Sweden, taking charge of top-flight side Djurgårdens after a spell at Linköping in the Damallsvenskan. His return to English football comes at a club that finished tenth in WSL 2 last season. Durham moved to appoint a new head coach after Adam Furness stepped into a different role within the organisation in March.

Durham Back Kirk

Kirk himself struck an optimistic note on joining the club. "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," he said. "I believe in creating an environment where people are challenged, supported and driven to improve every day."

Director of Durham Women Lee Sanders backed the decision publicly. "We're delighted to have Willie coaching the first-team," Sanders said. "His experience and track record of success in developing top players speaks for itself."

The appointment will be welcomed in some quarters as recognition that Kirk has served what many consider a significant professional consequence. In others, it will prompt legitimate questions about player welfare, institutional accountability and how women's football clubs balance rehabilitation with safeguarding. Durham will no doubt be asked to explain their thinking in the days ahead — and rightly so.

Frequently asked

Why was Willie Kirk sacked by Leicester City Women?
Kirk was dismissed by Leicester City Women in March 2024 after an internal investigation found he had been in a physical relationship with a player, which breached the club's code of conduct.
Is it against the rules for a women's football coach to have a relationship with a player?
There is no law against it, provided no minors are involved. However, WSL clubs are required to have codes of conduct in place covering such situations as a condition of their league licence, and safeguarding officers must also be appointed at every club.
What division do Durham Women play in?
Durham Women compete in Women's Super League 2 (WSL 2), the second tier of women's football in England. They finished tenth in the division last season.