The world of women’s football is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Matt Beard, a manager whose influence and character left a lasting mark on the game. On September 21, 2025, Liverpool Football Club announced the postponement of their Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa, scheduled for 12pm BST at Villa Park, following the unexpected passing of their former manager late the previous evening. The decision, met with understanding and sympathy from across the football community, underscores the depth of feeling for a man widely regarded as both a tactical innovator and a champion of the women’s game.
Liverpool’s official statement was clear and heartfelt: “Following the sudden and tragic news of the passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard, the match at Villa Park – scheduled for 12pm BST – will not take place. Details of a rearrangement will be confirmed in due course.” The club’s choice to prioritize the well-being of its players and staff reflected the shock and grief felt throughout the squad, many of whom had played under Beard’s guidance during his two impactful spells at the club.
Beard’s managerial journey began in 2008 with Millwall Lionesses, where he immediately made his mark by securing promotion in his first season. His reputation as a builder and motivator grew with a three-year spell at Chelsea, guiding the Blues to an FA Cup final and laying the groundwork for future successes. But it was at Liverpool where Beard truly etched his name into the history books, leading the Reds to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014—a feat that elevated the club to the pinnacle of English women’s football.
After his initial Liverpool stint, Beard took his talents abroad, managing the Boston Breakers in the United States before returning home for further spells with West Ham and Bristol City. His second tenure with Liverpool began in 2021, at a time when the club was seeking a return to the top flight. Beard delivered, guiding Liverpool to promotion back to the WSL in his first season back and consolidating their place in the division with a seventh-placed finish the following year.
Beard’s departure from Liverpool in February 2025 marked the end of an era, but his commitment to the game remained undiminished. In June, he accepted a role with Burnley’s women’s side, though his time there was brief, stepping down in August. The impact of his loss was felt immediately, with Burnley also postponing their National League North fixture against West Bromwich Albion on September 21, 2025, out of respect for their former manager.
Tributes poured in from all corners of the footballing world. Liverpool described Beard as “an extremely committed and successful manager” and “a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club. Rest in peace, Matt.” The League Managers’ Association chief executive, Richard Bevan, offered a broader perspective on Beard’s influence: “Matt was a true champion of women’s football and dedicated his early career to advancing the game on its path to professionalisation. He played an integral role in the development of players, coaches and the wider game as one of the most active managers in women’s football over the past 15 years, achieving success at some of the biggest clubs in the game. Away from football, Matt was hugely popular and loved by those that knew him well. His sense of humour and big personality was matched by his empathy and kindness and he will be sorely missed by his friends in the LMA.”
Among the many voices remembering Beard, former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who succeeded him at the club in 2012, spoke movingly of his legacy: “Matt Beard was an incredible investor in the women’s game and someone who will be remembered by his players, his staff and his colleagues for the amazing character that he was. He was always smiling, always coaching from the touchline. He was someone who gave a huge deal to the game and to his players. Everyone across the game can speak to the qualities and character of Matt Beard. Matt will leave a huge void in the women’s game. He was one of a kind and his loss will be felt by all. My heart goes out to his family, but I want to take the time to acknowledge what a special man he really was.”
The respect for Beard’s contribution extended beyond Liverpool and Chelsea. Manchester United described him as “a giant of women’s football,” while the Women’s Super League itself announced that a minute’s silence would be held before kick-off at every WSL and WSL2 fixture on September 21, 2025. Images of Beard, displayed on big screens at Villa Park and other stadiums, served as a poignant reminder of his presence and the void his passing leaves behind.
Beard’s career was defined not only by silverware but by the relationships he built and the pathways he helped forge for players and coaches alike. His ability to inspire loyalty and affection was evident in the outpouring of tributes from former colleagues and players. Claire Rafferty, former England defender, described him as having “the most genuine soul and kindest heart,” while Chelsea’s official statement emphasized, “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. 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.”
For Liverpool, the postponement of the match against Aston Villa is more than a scheduling issue—it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and honor a leader who helped shape the club’s identity and success. The club has assured fans and players alike that details of the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course, with the focus now firmly on supporting those affected by Beard’s passing.
The football world, united in grief, continues to pay its respects. As matches resume and the season progresses, the memory of Matt Beard’s dedication, humor, and humanity will remain a guiding force for all who knew him. For now, the silence before kick-off speaks volumes—a collective tribute to a manager whose impact transcended results and reached the very heart of the sport.
The legacy of Matt Beard will endure, not just in trophies and promotions, but in the lives he touched and the progress he helped drive for women’s football. As the league and its clubs move forward, his influence will be felt in every match, every team talk, and every young player dreaming of making their mark on the game he loved so dearly.
