Matt Beard, former manager of Liverpool Women’s team, has passed away at the age of 47.
Beard dedicated nearly 20 years to coaching in women’s football, including two separate periods leading Liverpool. He first took over the team in 2012 after previous roles at Millwall Lionesses and Chelsea Ladies.
During his initial spell, Beard earned the FA WSL Manager of the Year award twice and secured two Super League titles. He left Liverpool in 2015 to become head coach of the Boston Breakers in the United States.
In 2018, Beard returned to English football by managing West Ham United Women, leading them to the FA Cup final in 2019. He left West Ham by mutual agreement in 2020, had a brief interim role at Bristol City Women, and then rejoined Liverpool in 2021.
In his comeback season with Liverpool, Beard helped the team earn promotion from the Women’s Championship back to the Super League and reestablished their position in the top tier. He left the club early in 2025 and later had a short spell managing Burnley Women.
Liverpool paid tribute to Beard in an official statement, expressing condolences to his family and friends. They highlighted his dedication, success, and personal warmth, recalling how he built a squad that won consecutive Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 and led Liverpool in their first Champions League campaign.
The club noted Beard’s return in 2021 to rebuild the team, culminating in a dominant FA Women’s Championship win and promotion to the WSL. They acknowledged his significant contributions and memorable achievements over his multiple tenures before concluding with a message of rest in peace.
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