Former Liverpool women's manager Matt Beard dies aged 47

Former Liverpool women's manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, a development that has stunned the women's game. Beard, who spent 17 years in management within women's football, guided Liverpool to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014. Liverpool Football Club confirmed the news in a statement released on X, saying the club was deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of the former LFC Women boss and that thoughts were with Beard's family and friends at this devastating time.

Beard's coaching career began in 2008 and included stints at Chelsea, Millwall Lionesses and West Ham before his two spells in charge of Liverpool. During his first tenure with the Reds, he led them to back-to-back league titles in 2013 and 2014. When he returned to the club later, he secured promotion back into the top flight in his first season and followed that with a fourth-place finish in his second season.

Beard later took charge of Burnley, but resigned after just two months in the role. Eastbourne Borough FC, whose manager is Beard’s brother Mark Beard, issued condolences via social media, sending thoughts to Mark and the Beard family. The football community has begun to pay tribute to a coach who played a significant role in the development of women’s football during a formative period for the sport.

The industry-wide reaction to Beard's passing underscored the impact he had across multiple clubs and the broader women's game, where his work helped shape a generation of players and managers during a time of rapid growth and professionalization.