​Willie Kirk, the coach of Leicester’s women’s team, has been sacked for breaching the code of conduct. According to the British press, the technician had an affair with one of the players.

Leicester manager Willie Kirk was sacked after having an affair with one of his players

Leicester, who are ninth in the English Women’s Super League (Division One), have announced the sacking of Willie Kirk.

“Following an internal disciplinary process and taking into account the club’s confidentiality obligations, it has been determined that Willy has breached the team’s code of conduct to an extent that renders his position untenable,” Leicester’s representatives said.

Jennifer Foster, Willy’s assistant, will act as head coach until the English club finds a replacement.

Willie Kirk has been working at Leicester since 2022: first as director of football and then as a coach.

Kirk previously worked in the women’s football departments of Everton and Manchester United.

The case caused a number of resonances in women’s football.

“I think that the coach-player relationship is very inadequate,” commented England coach Sarina Wigman.

“We should not agree to this, and it is unhealthy. It’s a professional environment, it’s productivity, and it should always be safe. Anything can happen, but it’s inappropriate and we should all be aware of that,” she said, as quoted by News.ro.