Drama in the WSL: Matt Beard quits Burnley gig to pursue Leicester job after Foxes sack head coach Amandine Miquel less than two weeks before season opener

Miquel handed Leicester a 10th-place finish in the WSL last season, but recently appointed director of women’s and girls’ football, Lee Billiard, decided an upgrade was needed and gave her the boot earlier today. This is after Burnley boss Beard attempted to speak to Leicester about taking on the managerial posting, ultimately resigned from his current job after Burnley refused to let him speak to the East Midlands club.

Beard left his posting while Miquel was still in situ at Leicester, but just hours later, the Frenchwoman was sacked. It suggests the Foxes could now move quickly to hire the ex-Burnley boss, who is yet to manage a competitive game for the Lancashire club (he was only appointed two months ago). It's a bizarre turn of events just two weeks ahead of the new WSL season.

A statement from Burnley released following Beard's resignation read: 'We're naturally very disappointed with Matt's decision, but we're already looking positively to the future to ensure we remain on track to achieve our objectives for the 2025-26 season and beyond." 

Losing Beard so soon before the start of the new season is a real blow for Burnley, who appointed the ex-Liverpool coach as an ambitious move designed to help them achieve promotion to the Women's Championship. With the departed manager now on gardening leave, First Team Coach Louise Roberts has stepped in as Interim Manager, with fellow First Team Coach Liam Gilbert assisting her during this period.