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Sunday, September 21, 2025

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Matt Beard

The women’s football community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Matt Beard, the highly successful former manager of Liverpool Women, at the age of 47.

Liverpool FC announced the devastating news on Saturday evening, describing Beard as an "extremely committed and successful manager" who will be remembered with "genuine fondness" by all who worked with him.

Beard’s wife, Deb, shared the heartbreaking update on social media, stating: “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight [Saturday] at 7.28pm.”

Beard’s legacy at Liverpool is etched in the club’s history, having led the Reds to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first spell from 2012 to 2015. He also guided the team through their inaugural UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign.

Returning to the club for a second stint in 2021, Beard masterminded promotion back to the WSL by winning the FA Women’s Championship and secured a seventh placed finish in their return season, before departing in February 2025.

His managerial career spanned several prominent clubs, including early days at Millwall Lionesses, before moving on to Chelsea, where he was in charge for the first ever WSL match against Arsenal and led them to the 2012 FA Women’s Cup Final at Ashton Gate, West Ham United — where he reached the 2019 Women’s FA Cup Final — an interim role at Bristol City, almost leading them to safety from what had looked an impossible situation, as well as reaching the 2021 Continental Cup Final, and a brief tenure at Boston Breakers in the US National Women’s Soccer League. Most recently, Beard was appointed manager of Burnley Women in June 2025 but resigned after just two months.

Tributes have flooded in from across the game. Beard’s brother, Mark, described him as “the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him,” adding: “We will love you forever Matt Matt,” in a poignant social media post.

The Football Association hailed Beard as a “key figure” in women’s football, with thoughts extended to his family and friends during this difficult time.

The WSL issued a statement on X, expressing: “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.”

In a mark of respect, a minute’s silence will be observed before all WSL and WSL 2 matches this weekend.

Burnley FC Women confirmed the news with deep sadness, stating: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends.” Their Women’s National League fixture against West Brom was postponed on Sunday as a result.

Millwall Lionesses, where Beard began his managerial journey, shared: “Everybody at the club is deeply saddened by the passing of former Lionesses manager, Matt Beard. We send all our love and support to his family, friends and colleagues across the many clubs he managed at this very difficult time.”

Former colleagues and players also paid emotional homage. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe called him “one of the good guys in football,” while Chelsea’s Millie Bright said she was “absolutely heartbroken.”

Ex-Liverpool striker Natasha Dowie reflected: “From playing with you at the age of 17 to finishing my career with you at LFC.”

Emma Hayes, former Chelsea boss, remembered him as “one of the best humans” and a “champion in the women’s game.”

Beard’s contributions extended beyond the touchline, with the League Managers Association’s chief executive Richard Bevan noting: “Matt was a true champion of women’s football and dedicated his early career to advancing the game on its path to professionalisation.”

As the football world grapples with this profound loss, Beard’s pioneering impact on the women’s game ensures his memory will endure.

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Everyone at Women’s Soccer Scene would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all of Matt’s family, friends and colleagues.

Matt was a genuinely wonderful man who was a delight to talk to and always extremely helpful, he was a fantastic supporter of our publication. A hard, driven manager who was a trophy winner and could transform a club in a short space of time - Liverpool had finished bottom the previous season before their two WSL title wins - but off the pitch, was as warm and caring a person that you could ever meet.

On a personal note, just days after I had lost my father, Matt guided Liverpool to a vital win against Birmingham City to help them towards another WSL title but after the game, he spotted me amongst the media and delayed a live TV interview with BT Sport so that he could come over and console with me, and find out that everyone in my family was okay. A few weeks later, in another crucial match with Bristol Academy, he had a row with an opposing player near the end of the game but afterwards he apologised, not only to the player concerned but also to her family. Those two incidents summed up Matt to a tee.

We will miss him terribly. Goodnight Matt, and thank you. Rest in peace.