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Matthew Judge

Emma Hayes & Alessia Russo lead tributes to Matt Beard after 'warmest guy with the biggest heart' dies aged 47 in shock to footballing world

Leading figures from women's football have taken to social media to pay tribute to Matt Beard following the tragic death of the former Liverpool manager. The Women's Super League club announced on Saturday that Beard had passed away at the age of 47, hailing the most successful manager in their history as "a person of real integrity and warmth" in a statement.

  • Footballing world left devastated following Beard's passing

    The footballing world has been left devastated by the news of Beard’s sudden death, with the Football Association calling him a "key figure" in the growth of women’s football in a post on X. Other figures from the women’s game have honoured Beard on social media, with former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo leading the tributes.

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    Tributes flood in for Beard on social media

    U.S Women’s national team boss Hayes, who took over from Beard as Chelsea manager in 2012, wrote on Instagram: "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."

    England striker Russo also said: "Warmest guy with the biggest heart."

    Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly added: "Absolutely heartbreaking. A truly special man with a heart of gold. RIP Beardy."

    Arsenal and Canada attacker Olivia Smith, who played under Beard at Liverpool, wrote: "Wouldn't be where I am without you."

  • Beard led Liverpool to successive WSL titles in 2013 and 2014

    Starting his career at Millwall Lionesses, Beard became Liverpool manager for the first time in 2012 following a spell at Chelsea. He guided the Reds to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 before departing in 2015. The former Boston Breakers and West Ham boss returned to Liverpool in 2021, leading them to promotion from the Championship to the WSL in 2021-22. He left Liverpool in February this year.

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    Liverpool's next match: Villa fixture postponed following Beard's death

    Liverpool were due to play Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, but the club announced the fixture had been postponed following Beard's death. The WSL also confirmed that a minute's silence would be held across the remaining Sunday fixtures, in a tribute to Beard's immense contribution to the growth of the women's game.