Former Liverpool Women manager Matt Beard dies aged 47

Former Liverpool Women manager Matt Beard has died aged 47.  Beard managed Liverpool between 2012 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2025.

He also had spells at Chelsea Women, Millwall Lionesses, West Ham Women and most recently a short spell at Burnley Women. Liverpool confirmed the news on X, writing: "Liverpool Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt's family and friends at this devastating time. "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." Beard coached Liverpool to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014.

During his second spell in charge, he helped them win promotion back to the WSL before leading them to a seventh-placed finish on their return to the top flight. His former club Millwall, with whom he started his managerial career, paid tribute on X, stating: "Everybody at the club is deeply saddened by the passing of former Lionesses manager, Matt Beard.

"We send all our love and support to his family, friends and colleagues across the many clubs he managed at this very difficult time." Read more from Sky News:UK fighter jets defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursionThousands of prison officers to get stab-proof vestsKing meets the world's oldest person Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes hailed Beard as "one of the best humans" and a "champion in the women's game". Writing on Instagram, she said: "Can't quite compute this.

Absolutely one of the best humans. Always available for a chat, one of the good guys.

A champion in the women's game and a top bloke. So gutted for his family." Beard's older brother Mark, who played for Millwall and Sheffield United, wrote on X: "It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight at 7.28pm.

"He is a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him.

We will Love you forever Matt Matt.".