Former Hibs’ manager Willie Kirk has joined Manchester United as assistant coach to Casey Stoney MBE.
The 40-year-old began his coaching career with Livingston where he worked with their various youth sides.
Kirk moved to Hibernian in 2009, initially as an academy coach but was soon appointed as the ladies’ head coach.
During his first season in charge of Hibs, Kirk led them to the Scottish Cup in 2010 and followed that with a League Cup triumph in 2011.
Two years later, Hibs finished second and he won the Scottish Women’s Football Manager of the Year award before moving to the Scottish Football Association National Performance Centre for women’s Football where he held the post of High Performance Football Manager.
He then spent three years in charge of Bristol City in the Women’s Super League, before resigning at the end of 2017-18.
In 2016 he led Bristol to promotion to the top flight from WSL2.
Manchester United have been awarded a second-tier licence, ending their 13-term absence from the senior women’s game following a reconstruction of the leagues.
Kirk told United’s club website: “To have the chance to work with Casey Stoney and to be part of a team that is being set up from scratch, to me, is an opportunity not to be missed.
“Manchester United is renowned around the globe for developing young talent and that will continue in the women’s team.
“I would like to thank Casey for giving me this opportunity and I know that our skills and experience will complement each other as we work together to develop an exciting new team.”
Stoney added: “Willie is a fantastic appointment and has a proven track record of developing young players. Together, we have the opportunity to build something very special at Manchester United.”
Photo: Joelle Murray presenting Willie Kirk with a photo album commemorating his time at the club.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
