Ex Liverpool Women manager, Matt Beard has died at the age of 47.
No official explanation was provided about Beard’s death as Liverpool issued a public statement announcing his passing, in which they praised him for being “an extremely committed and successful manager,” with “real integrity and warmth,” to his personality.
“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.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall Lionesses and guided them to promotion in 2008-09 FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division as champions.
He went on to spend three years at Chelsea Women before he took Liverpool to Women’s Super League (WSL) titles in 2013 & 14 in his first spell on Merseyside, before he spent time in America with Boston Breakers.
June 2018 saw Beard return to English football with West Ham Women and kept them in the WSL until his exit in November 2020, during which he led them to the 2019 Women’s FA Cup Final where they finished runner-up to Manchester City.
Beard joined Bristol City in January 2021 as maternity cover for Tanya Oxtoby but couldn’t keep the Robins in the WSL as they suffered relegation on the final day of 2020-21 season.
May 2021 saw him re-join Liverpool which saw him guide the Reds to promotion as FA Women’s Championship champions in 2021-22 season, before establishing them in the WSL until he left in February 2025.
This summer saw Beard appointed Burnley Women’s manager in June but he resigned from his role after two months on 27 August.
Chelsea released a public tribute statement in which they reflected on his work which paved the way for Emma Hayes to go on to enjoy immense success as his successor at the club.
“Matt was someone who helped shape Chelsea Women during his three years in charge between 2009 and 2012, laying much of the foundations prior to Emma Hayes’ arrival.
“On the pitch, Matt was at the helm as we moved home to Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park, entered the new Women’s Super League and guided us to a first Women’s FA Cup final in 2012.
“But his impact was equally – if not more so – felt off the pitch by his players and everyone involved with Chelsea Women.
“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.
“So it came as no surprise that after leaving Chelsea in 2012, Matt went on to achieve great success at Liverpool, winning back-to-back WSL titles.
“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.
“Our thoughts are with Matt’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”
Tributes also flooded in on social media from various players across the footballing world, as a ‘devastated’ Missy Bo Kearns led various messages of condolences.
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