Willie Kirk

Willie Kirk (born 7 June 1978) is a Scottish football coach who is the manager of FA WSL club Everton.[2]

Willie Kirk
Personal information
Date of birth (1978-06-07) 7 June 1978[1]
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Club information
Current team
 Everton (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Preston Athletic
Teams managed
2011–2013 Hibernian
2014–2015 Preston Athletic (men)
2015–2018 Bristol City
2018 Manchester United (assistant)
2018– Everton
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Kirk played non-League football for Preston Athletic and agreed to manage the team in the 2014–15 Lowland Football League season.[3]

Coaching career

Livingston FC Academy

Kirk began his managerial career at Livingston FC as an assistant academy coach for the club's under-14 team in October 2006. He advanced to head coach of the under-14 team and took over head coaching position for the next age group up to the under-17 team.[1]

Hibernian

In March 2009, Kirk joined the academy coaching staff at Hibernian F.C. to coach the under-17 team. Ultimately, Kirk earned the head coaching position of Hibernian L.F.C..[1] His first season in charge of Hibernian led to winning the 2010 Scottish Cup.[4] Kirk followed up the 2010 Cup title by winning Scottish League Cup title, finishing as runners-up in the Scottish Cup, and third position in the table. The 2013 season saw Hibernian finishing second and Kirk earning Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year award.[4]

Bristol City

In April 2015, Kirk made the move to England and was appointed manager of Bristol City competing in the FA WSL.[4] After a rough season, Bristol City was relegated to WSL 2, finishing in last place after the 2015 season. The relegation was short lived, as Kirk's Bristol City rallied in the WSL 2 finishing second during the WSL season and earned promotion back to the FA WSL 1.[5] Kirk's subsequent seasons would see back-to-back eighth place finishes, maintaining safety in the women's top flight.[6]

Manchester United

In June 2018, Kirk joined the coaching staff at the newly formed Manchester United W.F.C. as an assistant to Casey Stoney.[7]

Everton

In December 2018, Kirk was appointed manager of Everton after being offered the number one position of a top flight team.[8] His debut as manager of the Blues was a victory, defeating rivals Liverpool 2–1.[9]

Honours

Manager

Hibernian L.F.C.

Individual
  • Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year: 2013
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References
  1. O'Neill, Jen (28 January 2019). "In Conversation: Everton Ladies' Manager Willie Kirk chats openly about Manchester United, the pull of being the boss & more…". She Kicks. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  2. "Willie Kirk: Everton Ladies appoint Manchester United Women assistant as manager". BBC Sport. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  3. "New boss Willie Kirk hopes to keep Preston Athletic in Lowland League". East Lothian Courier. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  4. Michael Plant (28 June 2018). "Kirk's Journey to United". Manchester United. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  5. "Kirk: I Couldn't Turn Down Everton Opportunity". Everton. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  6. "Everton Ladies Coaching Staff". Everton. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  7. John Hislop (29 June 2018). "Former Hibs' manager Willie Kirk joins Manchester United". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  8. "Willie Kirk Appointed New Ladies Manager". Everton. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  9. "Willie Kirk leading the Everton revolution". The FA. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
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