Former Liverpool women’s team manager Matt Beard dies aged 47

Former Liverpool women’s team manager Matt Beard has died aged 47, the club have announced.

Beard had two spells as manager of the Reds and most recently left the Women’s Super League club in February this year.

A statement on the Liverpool website said: “Liverpool is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time.

“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”

After three years with Chelsea, Beard won back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014 in his first spell in charge and led the side to their maiden Champions League campaign.

He rejoined the Reds in 2021 following spells with Boston Breakers in the United States, West Ham and Bristol City.

Beard guided Liverpool to promotion back to the WSL in his first season back at the helm and remained in charge until February.

He was appointed Burnley boss in June but resigned in August.

Burnley said in a statement on the club website: “It is with sadness that Burnley can confirm Matt Beard has passed away, at the age of 47.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends.”

Beard managed Chelsea, the current six-time defending WSL champions, between 2009 and 2012 and the club said he laid “much of the foundations prior to Emma Hayes’ arrival”.

The Blues said in a statement: “Players and staff alike speak of a man who wasn’t just your manager, he was your friend. He was a caring and loving person who always made time for people.

“Matt was integral to the growth of the women’s game in this country and is a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the footballing community.”

Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright posted a photo of Beard on her Instagram Stories, with the caption: “Absolutely heartbroken”, accompanied with two red broken hearts and a sad face emojis.

Fellow WSL side Manchester United described Beard as a “giant” of the women’s game, posting on X: “Matt was a fierce opponent of ours; a giant of women’s football. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

A statement on the Women’s Super League X account said: “Everyone at WSL Football extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Matt Beard following news of his passing.

“Matt played an instrumental role in the growth of women’s football and will be missed by everyone associated with the game.”

The Football Association also paid tribute to a “key figure” in women’s football.

“We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Matt Beard,” a post on the official FA X account said.

“Matt was a key figure in growing the women’s game and will be missed by all. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Broadcaster Jacqui Oatley described Beard as a “lovely man” who “never changed from being the kind, warm, likeable soul he always was”.

She wrote on X: “Matt saw the England job pass him by multiple times. Never received the credit he deserved, in my humble opinion, as he didn’t work with big budgets.”

Beard took charge of West Ham in 2018 and led them to the Women’s FA Cup final the following year.

“West Ham is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Matt Beard,” the club said on X.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Another of his former clubs, Millwall, with whom he started his managerial career, also paid tribute, as did Charlton, where Beard had a coaching spell.