These revelations have taken the women’s game by storm, with several WSL managers expressing their opinions on the issue of the player-coach relationship.
Willie Kirk, manager of Leicester City Women, with Sam Tierney of Leicester City Women during the Leicester City v Chelsea FC – Barclays Women’s Super League match at the King Power Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Leicester. (Credit: Getty Images)
New Delhi: Women’s football may have enjoyed considerable popularity and growth, but some major issues threaten to derail its development. A major source of concern is the relationship between players and coaches. Leicester City boss Willie Kirk is the subject of an internal club investigation following allegations of a player-manager relationship.
The Women’s Super League (WSL) club is following up on a complaint regarding an alleged current relationship between Kirk and a player. The 45-year-old Scottish manager is assisting the club with the investigation launched last week. He was not on the touchline during the Foxes’ 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Women’s FA Cup last 16 on Saturday.
These revelations have taken the women’s game by storm, with several WSL managers expressing their opinions on the issue of the player-coach relationship.
Aston Villa manager Carla Ward, who in 2022 expressed concern over the growing trend in player-manager relationships, is agitated by the latest developments in the WSL.
“I feel even stronger than two years ago because the game is moving at a fast pace. Our job and our duty is to protect the players above all. Crossing this line is therefore unacceptable and cannot happen. It makes me very angry because we are here to create an environment, a comfortable place where people come to work, where they feel safe, where they feel supported, where they feel cared for,” Ward said . BBC.
She also believes a player-coach relationship should become a fireable offense.
Coaches from other clubs also commented on the issue on Thursday.
Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn believes the player-manager relationship is unacceptable, while Bristol head coach Lauren Smith says the issue needs to be looked into.
There have been previous cases of player-coach relationships, which are not illegal as long as no minors are involved.
It has been highlighted previously that the dynamic of relationships between players and coaches in women’s football creates a power imbalance within a team.
Mark Sampson was sacked as England manager in 2017. The FA revealed the reason for his dismissal as “inappropriate and unacceptable behavior” with players in a previous role at the Bristol Academy.
Willie Kirk also faces the same fate as Sampson.
