da 888: Leicester City have sacked women's manager Willie Kirk after an investigation was launched into an alleged relationship with a player.
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Leicester sack KirkWas suspended amid investigationInto the FA Cup semi-finalsWHAT HAPPENED?
Leicester have sacked Kirk after they launched an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player. He subsequently missed the club's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool, as well as league defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, and has now been relieved of his duties. Jennifer Foster and Stephen Kirby have been placed in temporary charge since the suspension was put into effect.
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A statement from Leicester read: "Leicester City Football Club can confirm that Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position as LCFC Women Manager. Following an extensive internal disciplinary process and respecting the Club’s obligations to individual privacy, Willie was determined to have breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable.
"Established and implemented ahead of the start of the current season, the code forms part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to professionalising the women’s game since the takeover of LCFC Women in 2020, promoting a performance-led culture among players, coaches and technical staff.
"First Team responsibilities for LCFC Women will continue to be led by Jennifer Foster, supported by Stephen Kirby, while the Club begins the process of appointing a new permanent manager."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It is the second time this season that a Women's Super League club has sacked a manager after such an investigation; Sheffield United fired Jonathan Morgan earlier this season due to an alleged relationship with a player during his own time at Leicester.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Foster and Kirby will again be in the dugout this weekend when Leicester play Aston Villa in the WSL. The Foxes are currently ninth in the table and three points behind their weekend opponents. After that game, they will play Spurs in the semi-final of the Women's FA Cup on April 14.