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Liverpool have postponed their Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa following the death of their former manager Matt Beard on Saturday. Beard, who had two spells in charge of Liverpool, left the club in February.
Beard won back-to-back WSL titles with the Reds in 2013 and 2014 during his first spell and rejoined the club in 2021 following stints with Boston Breakers in the US, West Ham and Bristol City. He guided Liverpool to promotion back to the WSL in his first season back at the helm and remained in charge until February.
The club announced the death of the 47-year-old late on Saturday in a statement and confirmed on Sunday morning that their match against Aston Villa would not go ahead.
Liverpool posted on X: “Liverpool’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa today has been postponed. 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.”
After leaving Liverpool, Beard was announced as Burnley boss in June but resigned in August after a short spell in charge. The Clarets earlier confirmed their match against West Brom, which was scheduled for Sunday, had been postponed following the news of Beard’s death.
Richard Bevan, the League Managers Association chief executive, paid tribute to Beard: “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.”
Beard managed Chelsea, the current six-time defending WSL champions, between 2009 and 2012 and the club said he laid “much of the foundations prior to Emma Hayes’ arrival.”
Chelsea said in a statement: “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.”
Hayes, who took over from Beard in 2012, said in a statement to LMA: “He was always smiling. 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.”
Manchester United described Beard as a “giant” of the women’s game, posting: “Matt was a fierce opponent of ours; a giant of women’s football.”
The WSL announced that a minute’s silence will be held across all other games taking place in the league and WSL2 on Sunday. Chelsea’s meeting with Leicester, Brighton’s match with West Ham and Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United are all set to go ahead.
The WSL said in a statement: “Clubs across the Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 will take part in a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off at games today in memory of Matt Beard following his passing.”
