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.

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Matt was a true champion of women’s football and dedicated his early career to advancing the game on its path to professionalisation.

“He played an integral role in the development of players, coaches, and the wider game as one of the most active managers in women’s football over the past 15 years, achieving success at some of the biggest clubs in the game.​”

Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who took over from Beard in 2012, said in a statement to LMA: “He was always smiling.

“Matt will leave a huge void in the women’s