Posted by Everton’s manager, Willie Kirk, has stepped down following their 3-0 loss to Arsenal, which left them only six points from five games heading into the international break.
Kirk resigned his position as Casey Stoney’s assistant at Manchester United in December 2018 to join Everton, who were winless and rooted to the bottom of the Women’s Super League standings. They finished 10th to avoid relegation, then Kirk led Everton to sixth place the next season and fifth place last season, as well as reaching the FA Cup final in 2020.
Everton’s women’s commercial and sporting director, Sarvar Ismailov, tweeted “unacceptable” during Chelsea’s 4-0 defeat over Everton last month, prompting Chelsea manager Emma Hayes to recommend prudence.
“Everybody needs to be calm and patient with Everton,” Hayes said. “They’re going to be a good side. People are mad to think they are going to win leagues just like that. My team has been together 10 years, some of us have been together seven or eight years. It takes time to build. I might have been afforded that time at the beginning, that becomes more challenging with the investment but we have to start being realistic about it.”
However, after an intense summer purchasing spree, expectations for the new season were high. Kirk attempted to close the gap between Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City by bringing in nine players and moving out ten.
In a statement on the club’s website Kirk said: “I am thankful to the club for the opportunity that they gave me three years ago. During that time, we have made tremendous progress both on and off the pitch and I leave the club in a better place.
“Without a doubt, the highlight was the FA Cup final less than a year ago, a memory that will stay with me for ever. Unfortunately, this season has not started the way we anticipated, due to a very tough opening fixture list and the re-building of a squad.”
Everton are aiming to have a new manager in place before the side’s next game, away to Leicester City in the Continental Cup on the 3rd of November
source : Guardian sport