Willie Kirk
Willie Kirk (born 7 June 1978) is a Scottish football coach who is the manager of FA WSL club Everton.[2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | [1] | 7 June 1978||
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]
Honours
Hibernian L.F.C.
- Scottish Women's Premier League Cup
- Winners (1): 2011[4]
- Scottish Women's Cup:
- Winners (1): 2010[4]
- Runners-up (1): 2011
Individual
- Scottish Women's Football Manager of the Year: 2013
References
- 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.
- "Willie Kirk: Everton Ladies appoint Manchester United Women assistant as manager". BBC Sport. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- "New boss Willie Kirk hopes to keep Preston Athletic in Lowland League". East Lothian Courier. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- Michael Plant (28 June 2018). "Kirk's Journey to United". Manchester United. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- "Kirk: I Couldn't Turn Down Everton Opportunity". Everton. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- "Everton Ladies Coaching Staff". Everton. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- John Hislop (29 June 2018). "Former Hibs' manager Willie Kirk joins Manchester United". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- "Willie Kirk Appointed New Ladies Manager". Everton. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- "Willie Kirk leading the Everton revolution". The FA. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
External links
- Willie Kirk coach profile at Soccerway
- Willie Kirk coach profile at EvertonFC.com