Leicester: Willie Kirk replaces Lydia Bedford as Foxes boss
- Published
Kirk was Everton boss from 2018-21 after being assistant to Casey Stoney at Manchester United in 2018
Leicester manager Lydia Bedford has stepped down as manager with director of women's football Willie Kirk taking over the Women's Super League side.
Bedford and her assistant Nicola Williams both depart after the players were informed of the decision on Thursday.
Leicester are bottom of the WSL table with no points from their opening six matches of the season.
In a statement the Foxes said "a change in direction is necessary".
The statement continues, external: "Lydia departs with our sincere thanks for her contribution to the ongoing establishment of LCFC Women and our very best wishes for the next steps in her career."
Kirk, who was appointed as Leicester's Director of Women's and Girl's Football in July, will take on the role with immediate effect meaning he will take training from Saturday and will be in the dugout for Sunday's WSL match against Arsenal.
Kirk, 44, who will be supported in his new role by first team coach Steve Kirby and technical coach Emile Heskey, previously managed Bristol City and Everton and was assistant manager at Manchester United.
Bedford was appointed in November 2021 on a contract until the end of the season.
When she took over Leicester were bottom of the league with no points but under Bedford the Foxes managed to avoid relegation and finish 11th to stay in the top flight.
She signed a new two-year deal with Leicester in July but becomes the second WSL manager in the space of a week to lose their job after Hope Powell parted ways with Brighton on Monday.
In a press conference on Thursday, Bedford said she was not feeling under pressure from above.
"At the moment I feel very supported by the club in terms of being able to execute my role.
"The only pressure is the one you put on yourself. As a manager you want to go out every week knowing you've put the players in the best position," she said.
"I think in every game bar one this season I've walked off the pitch thinking there was not a lot more I could have done to change the result.".