Remembering Matt Beard: A Champion of Women’s Football
When the news broke that Matt Beard had passed away at just 47, it sent a wave of shock and sadness through the football world. This was a man who wasn’t just a successful coach but someone who genuinely cared about people—players, staff, and supporters alike. For so many, he wasn’t only a manager; he was a mentor, a friend, and even a father figure.
Beard’s love for family was something everyone close to him knew well. At Liverpool’s women’s training ground, Melwood, one of the things he cherished most wasn’t a trophy or a piece of memorabilia, but a painting of his late father, proudly displayed in his office. That detail captures the essence of who he was: someone who valued people and relationships above all else.
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His career tells the story of a man deeply embedded in the rise of the women’s game. He began at Millwall Lionesses in 2008, guiding them to promotion, before moving on to Chelsea, where he led the team to their first FA Cup final in 2012. With Liverpool, his place in history was cemented when he masterminded back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014. Later, he crossed the Atlantic to coach Boston Breakers, joking about how few people could understand his cockney accent. Back in England, he guided West Ham to an FA Cup final in 2019, managed Bristol City briefly, and eventually returned to Liverpool in 2021. Under his leadership, Liverpool won the second-tier title in 2022 and re-established themselves among the WSL’s strongest sides.
He was often described as the “Del Boy of women’s football,” someone with an eye for a bargain in the transfer market and plenty of charm to go around. Straight-talking in press conferences but warm and approachable off the field, Beard had time for everyone—whether it was greeting fans, supporting fundraising causes, or simply sharing a pint.
Tributes have poured in from across the sport. Former England goalkeeper Carly Telford described him as someone who cared for players like daughters and always found ways to make a bad day better. Fara Williams, who played under him at Liverpool, called him “one of a kind with the purest of souls,” recalling how he saw potential in her that she hadn’t seen herself. Managers, referees, and players alike spoke of his generosity with his time, his humor, and his unwavering belief in the women’s game.
Beyond the touchline, Beard embodied values that resonated with everyone around him. He often said that football wasn’t as important as family, and he lived that belief fully. Even after leaving Liverpool earlier this year, he was in good spirits, telling friends he was happier than ever after spending time hiking with his son.
Matt Beard leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: a coach who shaped clubs, lifted trophies, and pushed the women’s game forward, but more importantly, a man who made people feel seen, valued, and loved. His loss is immense, but the impact of his life will live on in the memories of players, colleagues, and fans who were lucky enough to know him.
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