WSL-winning manager Matt Beard dies | OneFootball

Matt Beard. (Chloe Knott for The FA)

Matt Beard, a two-time Women’s Super League-winning manager, has died at the age of 47.

The news was announced on Saturday evening.

He won the WSL league title with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014 during his first spell with them, and in his second stint at the club got them promoted as champions from the second tier in 2022, before leaving the club earlier this year.

He also managed Millwall Lionesses having previously assisted Keith Boanas, moving on to Chelsea on the recommendation of former Millwall player Casey Stoney.

After his duo of WSL wins with Liverpool, he became head coach of Boston Breakers in the NWSL in 2015. His next job in England was at West Ham United, when he took over in the summer of 2018, finishing as Women’s FA Cup runners-up in 2019, and leaving in November 2020. He spent the first few months of 2021 as interim head coach at Bristol City while Tanya Oxtoby was on maternity leave, and then returned to Liverpool.

This summer he was announced as head coach of third-tier Burnley, but resigned after two months. Their Women’s National League Northern Premier Division match against West Bromwich Albion, due to be played on Sunday, has been postponed.

His brother Mark – also a football coach – posted on social media on Saturday evening: “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight 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. We will Love you forever Matt Matt.”

Matt Beard: A person of real integrity and warmth

“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,” read a post on Liverpool’s official website.

“Players and staff alike speak of a man who wasn’t just your manager, he was your friend,” read a tribute on the Chelsea website. “He was a caring and loving person who always made time for people.”

“Matt was a key figure in growing the women’s game and will be missed by all,” the FA wrote on social media.