News has been a little thin on the ground for Manchester United’s newly reformed women’s team since Casey Stoney was announced as the club’s new head coach at the start of June. Until today, that is. United have announced an addition to Stoney’s backroom staff, with former Bristol City women’s former head coach Willie Kirk coming on board as assistant coach. Kirk was in charge at Bristol for three years, and has also managed for Hibernian Ladies.
“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,” said Kirk in an interview with Manutd.com. “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 offered her comment on Kirk’s appointment, saying: “Willie is a fantastic appointment and has a proven track record of developing young players. I think, together, we have the opportunity to build something very special at Manchester United. I look forward to working with him as we start on this exciting journey.”
Stoney and Kirk certainly have their work cut out for them, given that United will start in the Women’s Super League 2 in the upcoming campaign and have an entire team to build. But after the buzz established by United announcement of the reformation of their women’s team, and the excitement generated by the appointment of a bona fide legend of English football in Stoney, the signs are that the club are determined to do things right this time, and could simultaneously give women’s football a significant push.
