Liverpool confirmed the news on X: "Liverpool Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard.
"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt's family and friends at this devastating time.
"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."
Beard's older brother Mark, who played for Millwall and Sheffield United, wrote on X: "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, loved by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. We will love you forever, Matt Matt.”
Matt Beard: A Pioneer Who Helped Shape the Modern WSL
Few managers have influenced the landscape of English women’s football as profoundly as Matt Beard. Across spells at Chelsea, Liverpool, and West Ham, Beard has been at the forefront of the Women’s Super League’s rise, leaving behind a legacy defined by both trophies and development.
Building Chelsea’s Early Foundations
Beard became prominent at Chelsea in the late 2000s, leading the club into a professional setup as women’s football in England gained momentum. Though silverware eluded him in West London, his work stabilised Chelsea and introduced a professional mentality that laid the groundwork for what Emma Hayes would later build into a dynasty. He did lead them to an FA Cup final in 2012.
Chelsea said: “But his impact was equally - if not more so - felt off the pitch by his players and everyone involved with Chelsea Women. Players and staff alike speak of a man who wasn't just your manager; he was your friend. He was a caring and loving person who always made time for people.”
Emma Hayes wrote on Instagram, saying, "Can't quite compute this. Absolutely one of the best humans. Always available for a chat, one of the good guys. A champion in the women's game and a top bloke. So gutted for his family."
Back-to-Back Titles With Liverpool
It was in Liverpool that Beard’s reputation soared. In 2013 and 2014, he led the Reds to consecutive WSL titles, breaking Arsenal’s long dominance in the women’s game. Those successes not only brought Liverpool to the forefront but also demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the league. Beard’s Liverpool sides were bold, organised, and ruthless in attack, setting new standards for professionalism in the women’s game.
Developing Players and Raising Standards
Beard has been praised for his ability to nurture talent throughout his career. At Liverpool, he gave young English players opportunities while integrating experienced international players. At West Ham, he guided the Hammers to an FA Cup final in 2019 — a landmark moment for the newly-formed WSL side. His willingness to take on projects, build teams from scratch, and create pathways for players has been a defining trait.
A Broader Impact on Women’s Football
Beyond results, Beard has advocated for improving conditions in the women’s game. He consistently pushed for higher standards and greater parity with the men’s game, from training facilities to investment. His longevity in the WSL, across more than a decade, speaks to his adaptability as the league has grown from semi-professional beginnings to a thoroughly professional, globally respected competition.
A Lasting Legacy
Matt Beard’s legacy is not just measured in trophies, though his Liverpool titles remain iconic. It is in the careers he has helped launch, the teams he has stabilised, and the standards he demanded that lifted English women’s football to new heights.
His personal recognition was astronomical: He was named FA WSL Manager of the Season in 2013 and 2023-24 and the FA Women's Championship manager of the year in 2022.
As the WSL continues to thrive, Beard’s influence remains woven into its story — a reminder that pioneering managers are just as vital to the growth of the women’s game as star players
A minute's silence will be held before WSL matches following the death of former Liverpool, Chelsea, and West Ham manager Matt Beard in September 2025. Football organisations, clubs, and fans expressed their deep shock and sadness, paying tribute to his significant contributions to the growth of women's football and sending condolences to his family.
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