First Team Coaching Staff
Willie Kirk
First Team Manager
Willie Kirk was appointed as LCFC Women’s new manager on 3 November, 2022, following the departure of Lydia Bedford. After discussions with the Board, the Scot moved from his position as Director of Football - Women and Girls to take charge of the women’s first team squad on a permanent basis.
Willie is supported by First Team Coach Steve Kirby and Technical Coach Emile Heskey.
The Club originally appointed Kirk in a newly formed role as Director of Football - Women and Girls on 28 July, 2022, ahead of the new Barclays Women’s Super League season.
The 44-year-old became responsible for delivering sustained on-pitch performance, academy excellence and technical growth, while taking a leading role in creating a motivated and successful environment at Belvoir Drive.
Key for the growth of women’s and girls’ football at LCFC Women, he continued the significant progress made since the team’s acquisition by King Power International in the summer of 2020.
He previously led Hibernian Women to the Scottish Cup and League Cup during a four-year spell between 2010 and 2014, before moving to Bristol City Women in 2015 and securing promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League a year later.
A spell as assistant manager to Casey Stoney at Manchester United Women followed for Kirk, who then made the move to Everton as manager in 2018, where he led the Merseyside outfit to the 2020 Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final during a successful period at the helm.
Stephen Kirby
LCFC Women First Team Coach
Previously assistant coach of Leicester City men's Under-18s side, working alongside Adam Barradell, Kirby moved to become LCFC Women's First Team Coach in July 2022.
Joining with an outstanding coaching background and an excellent track record in youth development, the existing coaching staff have already benefitted from his experience and knowledge of the Club.
Making the transition from Under-18s coach, he has assisted in the development of players in their progression to the men’s first team at the LCFC Academy.
First Team Staff
Name | Position |
Tom Freeman | Head of Medical & Performance |
Emile Heskey | Technical Coach |
Tony O'Neill | Goalkeeper Coach |
Michael Cheverton | Strength & Conditioning Coach |
Beth Watkins | Sports Therapist/Sports Rehabilitation |
Dr. Joe Mile | Team Doctor |
Samuel Jones | Performance Analyst |
Georgina Nielsen | Data Analyst |
Harry McLean | Kit Manager |