Willie Kirk takes over Linköping

He has been without a mission for over a year.

It is now clear that Willie Kirk, 47, is the new head coach of Linköpings FC.

– It is an honor, he says in a press release.

Sportbladet was able to reveal recently that Linköping is firing Jonne Kunnas, and instead bringing in Willie Kirk.

Kunnas’ resignation became official yesterday – and now it is also clear that Willie Kirk will take over the baton. It will be the Scotsman’s first job in about a year.

– I am really happy to get the chance, the Swedish league is something I have admired from afar for several years with all the talent that is here. With the history Linköping has written in women’s football, it is a great honor to lead this team, he says in a press release.

Kirk continues:

– We have a lot more to show than what they have done so far. It’s sticking out your chin, but I want everyone to understand that this squad of players, with the quality that exists, should not be second to last in this league.

Relationship with players

The reason Kirk has been out of work for a little over a year is because he had a relationship with a player during his time as head coach of Leicester.

“Willie was deemed to have breached the team’s code of conduct to the extent that the situation is untenable,” the club wrote in a statement at the time.

Kirk broke his silence shortly after in an interview with the Daily Mail. The Scots were criticized and the relationship was described as a scandal.

– After I confessed, I was treated and felt like a criminal, he said at the time.

Kirk will continue to be in a relationship with the player in question.

Linköping is second to last in the table with six points ahead of Växjö in the qualifying place.