Liverpool vs Aston Villa WSL Match Postponed After the Death of Former Manager Matt Beard
Liverpool’s Women’s Super League (WSL) match against Aston Villa, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed following the sudden death of former Reds manager Matt Beard, aged 47.
Beard was one of the most respected figures in women’s football, guiding Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 and returning for a second spell with the club in 2021.
Aston Villa Statement
Aston Villa confirmed the postponement in an official statement:
“Following the tragic death of former Liverpool Women head coach Matt Beard last night, Liverpool’s players were rightly offered the opportunity to postpone today’s Barclays WSL fixture. We apologise to fans for the late notice and inconvenience, but ask for understanding at this very sad time. Our thoughts and condolences remain with Matt’s family.”
The club added that details of the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course.
Beard’s Career and Legacy
Matt Beard began his managerial journey with Millwall Lionesses in 2008, where he achieved promotion in his debut season. He later managed Chelsea Women, leading them to an FA Cup final, before moving to Liverpool, where he achieved historic success with consecutive league titles and guided the team into their first-ever Champions League campaign.
His career also included spells with Boston Breakers (USA), West Ham United, and Bristol City, before returning to Liverpool in 2021. Under his leadership, the Reds secured promotion back to the WSL and achieved a solid seventh-place finish the following season. His most recent role was a brief tenure at Burnley Women.
Matches Across Women’s Football Postponed
In addition to Liverpool’s match, Burnley’s Women’s National League fixture against West Brom was also postponed. The WSL confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed before all matches in both the WSL and WSL2 to honour Beard’s contribution to the game.
Tributes Pour In
Tributes have flooded in from across football, recognising Beard as a true pioneer of the women’s game.
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Liverpool FC remembered him as “an extremely committed and successful manager, a man of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with fondness by everyone at the club.”
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Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the League Managers’ Association, praised him as “a true champion of women’s football who dedicated his career to advancing the game, developing players and coaches, and shaping women’s football over the past 15 years.”
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Emma Hayes, former Chelsea Women’s manager, added: “Matt was an incredible figure in women’s football, always smiling and giving everything to the game and his players. His loss leaves a huge void in the sport. He was truly one of a kind.”
A Lasting Impact on Women’s Football
Matt Beard will be remembered not only for his trophies and achievements, but also for his personality, humour, and kindness, which touched the lives of countless players, colleagues, and fans. His legacy continues through the progress of women’s football, a sport he helped elevate to new heights.