Matt Beard, the former manager of Liverpool Women, has died at the age of 47, the Women’s Super League club announced. A club statement expressed deep shock and sadness at the news.
Beard guided Liverpool to two WSL titles in consecutive seasons in 2013 and 2014 during his first spell in charge. In his second spell, he led the team to promotion back to the top flight. He is the most successful manager in Liverpool Women's history.
His wife, Deb, wrote on social media: “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight [Saturday] at 7.28pm. He is a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him.”
Liverpool said: “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 also managed West Ham, Bristol City, Chelsea and Boston Breakers, and was most recently at Burnley, where he resigned in August 2025. He was named WSL manager of the year in 2013 and 2014.
