In a heartbreaking blow to the world of women’s football, Matt Beard, the esteemed former manager of Liverpool Women and a pioneer in the sport, has taken his own life at the age of 47. The news, confirmed during a coroner’s court hearing, has sent shockwaves through the football community, prompting tributes from players, coaches, and fans alike. Beard’s legacy as a dedicated coach who elevated women’s teams to new heights will endure, but his sudden death raises poignant questions about mental health in the high-pressure world of professional sports.

The inquest into Beard’s death opened on September 29, 2025, at a coroner’s court in Ruthin, North Wales. According to details revealed during the hearing, emergency services were called to Beard’s home in Deeside, Flintshire, where he was found hanged. He was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away later that day on September 20, 2025. The senior coroner adjourned the proceedings for a full inquest to be held at a later date, allowing time for further investigations. This confirmation of suicide has amplified calls for greater support systems within football, where the demands on managers can be relentless.

Born on January 9, 1978, in Roehampton, England, Matthew Beard grew up in a footballing family. His older brother, Mark Beard, enjoyed a professional playing career with clubs like Millwall, Sheffield United, and Southend United, which likely influenced Matt’s early passion for the game. Before fully immersing himself in coaching, Beard worked as an estate agent in Eesling, balancing his day job with assistant coaching roles. His entry into women’s football came in the early 2000s, assisting Keith Boanas at Charlton Athletic Women—a period where he crossed paths with figures like broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, who recalled him as a kind and approachable individual even then.

Beard’s managerial journey began in earnest in 2008 when he took over Millwall Lionesses. In his debut season, he led the team to the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title, securing promotion to the top tier with an impressive 75% win rate over 16 games. This success caught the eye of bigger clubs, and in 2009, he was recommended by Chelsea captain Casey Stoney to manage Chelsea Ladies. Over three years, Beard guided Chelsea to the 2012 FA Women’s Cup Final, semi-finals in the FA Premier League Cup, and a third-place finish in the 2009-10 FA Women’s Premier League National Division. His win percentage stood at 54.1% across 61 games, marking him as a rising star in women’s coaching.

It was at Liverpool Women where Beard truly cemented his reputation as one of England’s most accomplished women’s football managers. Appointed in 2012, he delivered back-to-back FA Women’s Super League (WSL) titles in 2013 and 2014, earning the WSL Manager of the Year award both times. These victories were pivotal in establishing Liverpool as a force in the burgeoning women’s game. After departing in 2015, Beard ventured abroad to manage Boston Breakers in the United States from 2016 to 2017, though his stint there was less successful with a 15.91% win rate over 44 games.

Returning to England, Beard took the helm at West Ham United Women in 2018. He transformed the team, leading them to the FA Cup Final in May 2019 at Wembley Stadium, where they fell 3-0 to Manchester City. Despite the loss, it was a landmark achievement for a club building its women’s program from scratch. His tenure ended by mutual consent in November 2020 after a 34.29% win rate in 70 games. A brief interim role at Bristol City Women in 2021 followed, where he managed 15 games with a 20% win rate, before Beard made a triumphant return to Liverpool in 2021.

His second spell at Anfield was equally impactful. Beard inherited a team relegated to the FA Women’s Championship and swiftly guided them back to the WSL by winning the league title at the end of the 2021-22 season, earning the Championship Manager of the Year award. Under his leadership, Liverpool achieved a fourth-place finish in the 2023-24 WSL season—their best in a decade—and he was honored as WSL Manager of the Season at the League Managers Association Awards in 2024. Overall, across his two stints at Liverpool, Beard boasted a combined win percentage of over 50%, managing 161 games with 103 wins.

In June 2025, Beard was appointed manager of Burnley Women in the third-tier FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. However, he resigned just two months later in August, citing a desire to pursue other opportunities. This abrupt departure, in hindsight, may have hinted at underlying struggles, though no public details emerged at the time.

The news of Beard’s death prompted an outpouring of grief across the football world. Liverpool Women’s match against Aston Villa on September 21 was postponed, and a minute’s silence was observed before all WSL games that weekend. Liverpool’s men’s team head coach, Arne Slot, paid tribute, calling Beard “a great human being” and vowing the club would support his family. “In these moments, the football world always shows itself at its best,” Slot said during a press conference.

Emma Hayes, former Chelsea manager and current head of the U.S. women’s national team, hailed Beard as someone who “gave everything to women’s football, always with a smile, always committed on the touchline.” Manchester United Women’s manager Marc Skinner described him as an “icon” in the sport. Canadian forward Olivia Smith, who made history as the first women’s player to command a £1 million transfer fee when joining Arsenal, credited Beard profoundly: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

Broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, a longtime acquaintance, shared a moving tribute on social media, recalling Beard’s humility and kindness. She initiated a charitable fund to support Beard’s family—his wife Debbie, children Harry and Ellie, and stepson Scott—which raised over £50,000 in just one week. Beard’s son issued a poignant statement, emphasizing that suicide “is never the answer” and urging others to seek help. Other tributes came from former players, Everton boss Brian Sorensen, and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, all underscoring Beard’s influence.

Beard’s death has sparked broader conversations about mental health in coaching. Despite his successes, he never landed the England women’s national team job, which passed him by multiple times, and he often worked with limited budgets compared to rivals. As Women’s in Football noted in their tribute, Beard played a “significant role in the recent growth of women’s football in England,” yet the pressures of the role may have taken a toll.

Matt Beard leaves behind not just trophies—two WSL titles, a Championship crown, and multiple cup finals—but a profound human legacy. He was remembered for his warmth, dedication, and ability to nurture talent in an era when women’s football was fighting for recognition. As the sport continues to evolve, Beard’s contributions will inspire future generations, but his tragic end serves as a stark reminder of the need for compassion and support off the pitch. Rest in peace, Matt Beard—a true architect of women’s football.