Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 21, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleMatt Beard, former Liverpool and Chelsea Women's manager, has died at 47. Known for his success in women's football, he led Liverpool to WSL titles.
(Reuters) -Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women's Super League (WSL) clubs said late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, before returning in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt's family and friends at this devastating time," Liverpool said in a statement.
"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."
Liverpool said their WSL fixture at Aston Villa on Sunday had been postponed.
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009.
"Matt was someone who helped shape Chelsea Women during his three years in charge between 2009 and 2012, laying much of the foundations prior to Emma Hayes' arrival," Chelsea said.
"Matt was integral to the growth of the women's game in this country and is a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the footballing community."
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue and Ed Osmond)
Matt Beard managed Liverpool and Chelsea, leading Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014.
Matt Beard passed away at the age of 47, as confirmed by Liverpool and Chelsea on Saturday.
His last coaching role was a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August before leaving Liverpool in February.
Both clubs expressed their condolences, highlighting Beard's integrity, warmth, and significant contributions to women's football.
Matt Beard was integral to the growth of the women's game in the UK and is remembered fondly for his commitment and success as a manager.
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