Lydia Bedford has been sacked as Leicester City Women manager after the club’s winless start to the season.

Just hours after conducting her pre-match press conference ahead of the fixture with Arsenal this weekend, Bedford has been removed as part of a “reorganisation”, the club have announced, with Willie Kirk to take over. Kirk was appointed as director of women’s football at City in the summer.

A 2-1 loss to fellow strugglers Reading last weekend left City as the only team without a point in the Women’s Super League after six games. City had been leading through Natasha Flint’s goal, but conceded twice in injury time.

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Bedford now makes way, having failed to reach a year in charge. She took over from Jonathan Morgan last December after the club made a poor start to their maiden Super League campaign, and she guided them to safety, claiming 13 points to finish two ahead of relegated Birmingham.

Handed a two-year contract in the summer, Bedford was tasked with keeping City in the division again, but they are now bottom after a string of narrow defeats. She departs alongside assistant manager Nicola Williams, with Kirk taking over from Saturday ahead of the meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.

Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan said: “We’re extremely grateful to Lydia for everything she has done during her time with Leicester City, guiding our players through a difficult first season in the WSL. Her skill as a coach and dedication to improving players were big factors in the retention of our WSL status and will continue to serve her well in a successful career at the top of the women’s game.

“After a difficult start to the season, we now look to move forward with the team led by Willie Kirk, whose experience and knowledge will be of great value for the challenges ahead.”

Speaking earlier on Thursday, Bedford felt she had the backing of the club. She said: “At the moment I’d say I feel very supported by the club in terms of being able to execute my role. Last season I got brought in during December and the club had zero points but by the end of the season we managed to stay up.

“I think for us as a club, we know what needs to change over the next few months to help us. The January transfer window is one we’re working very hard in the background to make sure we can secure some additions to our squad we know will help us in the second-half of the season.

“For me, personally, the only pressure is the pressure you put on yourself. As a manager, you want to go out and feel like every week you put the players in the best position. Almost in every game, bar one this season, I’ve walked off the pitch at the end thinking to myself there’s not a lot more I could have done to change the result.

“As long as I feel like that and I feel like the players are giving 120 percent on the pitch, I won’t ever be happy to lose games, but I can be content I’m doing the job to the best of my ability.”

New manager Kirk, who will be supported by first-team coach Steve Kirby and technical coach Emile Heskey, has previously managed Bristol City and Everton in the Women’s Super League. He also had a brief spell as Manchester United’s assistant manager.