'I have a family to support' - Ex-Liverpool manager Matt Beard admits he may return to estate agency job after failing to find new role in women's football

Beard was sacked by Liverpool in late February to bring his second spell in charge to an end, having previously won two Women's Super League titles with the club back in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The Reds were seventh in the table at the time of his departure and Beard had guided them back into the top flight upon his return in 2021.

Liverpool managed to secure a finish of seventh upon their return to the WSL and then improved to come fourth the following season. However, they lost seven of their first 14 league matches this term, with a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City proving to be Beard's last outing as manager. The 47-year-old has now revealed he could be forced to turn to a different line of work having struggled to find another role in football since his sacking.

Beard told BBC Sport: "If a Premier League manager loses their job, they are comfortable financially - but we are not.

"I need a plan A and a plan B. I want to stay in football but if I can't find anything - there are not that many professional teams in England in the women's game - then I need to look at maybe going back into estate agency work or something like that.

"It would probably be a last resort for me. But at the end of the day I have a family I need to support. I need to look at all options.

"I want to stay in the game and continue managing. I have my pro licence and degree in business management.

"I think people see me as a fixer who can build something but I know I'm much more than that when I look back at my time as a football manager.

"Roles like a technical director or sporting director are something I would maybe consider. I might also look at high performance workshops or even podcasts."

Beard has admitted he has given himself until the summer "at the latest" to find a new role so he can support his wife and two children, adding he needs to "look at all options". Liverpool, meanwhile, are currently under the guidance of interim boss Amber Whitely and have moved up to sixth in the WSL, though are currently enduring a run of three defeats in a row in all competitions. Their next game is a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.