Matt Beard leaves lasting legacy at Liverpool Women after death at 47
Liverpool Women manager Gareth Taylor leads tributes to former coach, who guided the club to two WSL titles and helped promote the team back to the top flight.
Matt Beard, who guided Liverpool Women to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, has died aged 47, the club announced on Saturday. Beard’s passing comes after a long association with Liverpool across two spells in charge, most recently returning in 2021 to help the team win promotion back to the WSL and secure a seventh-placed finish on their return to the top flight. The news prompted tributes from across the game, with Liverpool arranging a minute’s silence at Melwood on Monday and plans for further acknowledgments ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round match against Southampton at Anfield. Beard’s achievements with the Reds established him as a foundational figure for the club’s women’s program, and his death is described as leaving a substantial void both personally and professionally.
Gareth Taylor, who took over as Reds manager last year, said Beard left a “legacy” at Liverpool and that his passing would create a “big void.” “We have lost Matt far too young,” Taylor said. “But where we can take some solace is by thinking of the huge impact he managed to have on so many people across his 47 years - a real legacy and he packed in more than a lot of people who are fortunate to be around until their old age. It’s just really devastating news. It’s a huge loss and he will leave a big void.” Taylor added that Beard’s influence extended beyond his trophies, highlighting the personal connections and warmth he brought to the club and to women’s football in general.
Beard’s impact at Liverpool was the product of two spells in charge. After first guiding the team to WSL championships, he returned in 2021 and helped them win promotion back to the top tier and strike a seventh-place finish on their return. Taylor noted the sense of camaraderie Beard fostered within the squad and his openness in supporting colleagues, saying, “He was supportive of everyone around him and you never fell out with him.” The Reds boss said he had his own personal connection to Beard through his brother Mark, with Beard remaining a source of encouragement and advice during Taylor’s early days in the role.
Liverpool’s managing director of women’s football, Andy O’Boyle, also paid tribute, saying: “On behalf of everyone at Liverpool Football Club, I’d just like to extend our greatest condolences to Matt’s family; his wife Debbie, his children Harry and Ellie, and his wider family and friends. It has been a really sad time for everyone. You have seen how the club and football have come together, and we extend our sympathies to Matt’s family and friends at this time. Matt has been an iconic figure in the women’s game. Obviously winning two WSL titles with Liverpool and then also getting promoted from the Championship up to the WSL. You can see over the years the success he has brought to the club. Not just the success on the pitch, the success off the pitch as well in terms of the people, the players, the staff, colleagues within the game — you can see how much love and joy he brought to Liverpool, the football club and also to women’s football and wider football.”
Beard’s career spanned several high-profile roles in English women’s football. In addition to his success with Liverpool, he previously managed Chelsea, West Ham and Bristol City’s women’s sides, building a reputation as a developer of talent and a steady presence in the evolving women’s game. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from players, staff and peers who recalled his warmth, professionalism and ability to connect with players at every level.
As tributes continue, the club indicated that additional moments of remembrance would follow, including potential tributes at Anfield before Tuesday’s match and ongoing support for those connected to the program. The football community has consistently highlighted Beard’s role in shaping Liverpool Women into a competitive, recognized force within English football, both during his two spells with the club and through the broader growth of the women’s game.
