The widow of former Liverpool women's manager Matt Beard has told a pre-inquest review that she believes he was 'bullied' by Burnley FC prior to his death. Matt Beard, 47, died on 20 September last year after resigning from his role as head coach of Burnley FC Women in August, the hearing was told on Thursday.
Mr Beard, who led Liverpool Women to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, also managed the women's teams at Millwall, Chelsea, and West Ham. The father-of-two, from Hawarden, Deeside, died at the Countess of Chester Hospital from a hypoxic brain injury caused by suspension by ligature, the hearing heard.
During the review at Ruthin County Hall, his family expressed concerns about his time at Burnley FC, which he joined after leaving Liverpool in February 2025. They felt that leaving Burnley 'was the catalyst for a decline in his mental health'. His wife Debbie Beard stated: 'Matt left Burnley not to go to another job, he left Burnley because he wasn't happy there. Basically, they didn't allow him to move on. I feel like they bullied him, to be honest.'
Senior coroner John Gittins said he would invite Burnley FC to become an interested person in the proceedings, noting that anyone who may have caused or contributed to a death is entitled to such status. He also plans to seek further evidence from football agent Curtis Dawes and the League Managers Association, whom Mr Beard consulted about his treatment at Burnley.
Mr Beard's stepson, Scott Beard, raised concerns about the timing of social media posts that were 'quite damaging' to the manager. The inquest has been adjourned. A Burnley FC spokesman said: 'Burnley FC is aware of an ongoing legal process and will not be making any comment at this time.'
