Manchester United boss Skinner pays tribute to “beautiful human” Matt Beard | OneFootball

Marc Skinner (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner paid tribute to the late Matt Beard, calling him “an icon” and a “beautiful human”.

Ahead of United’s Women’s Super League match at Leigh Sports Village against Arsenal, Skinner spoke to the BBC of his memories of Beard, who died on Saturday.

“He was a special man,” said Skinner, who sent his best wishes to Beard’s wife Debbie and children Harry and Ellie, adding that if he or the club could help or support them at all they would do so. “Everyone is devastated. The football family is devastated.

“But I want to remember him as an icon. I actually think he’s as iconic as Emma [Hayes] is in the game, because he’s helped women’s football for a long, long time, he’s come grassroots all the way up.

“In this sad, sombre moment, it’s nice to reflect on a beautiful human and somebody that I was very fond of, and had the very great pleasure of playing against him many times.”

Fara Williams’s words on Matt Beard

A distressed Fara Williams – who played for Beard at Liverpool, winning the WSL with him in 2013 and 2014 – had spoken through tears earlier in the broadcast to speak of her own memories of him.

“It’s a tough day,” said the former England international, who is the Lionesses’ most capped player ever. “It’s difficult.

“He meant so much to all of us. He will be missed.”

Matt Beard’s career in football

The news broke on Saturday evening that Beard had passed away at the age of 47, with his family confirming it in social media posts.

He led Liverpool to two WSL titles in his first spell with the club, and on his return got them promoted back to the top tier; he left that role earlier this year.

He was Chelsea manager in the inaugural WSL season before Emma Hayes took over the hot seat. He spent time in the USA coaching the Boston Breakers in the NWSL, and later led West Ham United to the Women’s FA Cup final in 2019.

At the start of 2021, he took over as interim head coach of Bristol City while Tanya Oxtoby was on maternity leave.

He was announced as Burnley manager this summer, but resigned after two months.

Burnley’s FA Women’s National League Northern Premier match against West Bromwich Albion was postponed on Sunday, as was Liverpool’s trip to Aston Villa in the WSL.