Matt Beard, fondly known as ‘Beardy’ by many, was not only one of the most successful managers in women’s soccer but also a devoted family man who cared deeply for his children. The former head coach, who helped put Liverpool Women’s team on the map, supported his players, raised ‘the real issues’ in the women’s game, and embraced life with positivity. Now, in a tragic turn of events, women’s soccer has lost perhaps its most celebrated voice.

The former Reds manager breathed his last at 47. Beard’s wife, Deb, confirmed Matt’s demise on Saturday in a social media post. “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight [Saturday] 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.” While the reason behind Matt’s demise is still unknown, his son, Harry Beard, has an earnest appeal to those in need.

Although there is no official report of Matt taking his own life, Harry requested everyone struggling with mental health to REACH OUT, because su–ide is never the solution. “s—— is never the answer reach out. call 111, or 999. please don’t take your own life, we all miss you dad,” Beard’s son wrote in an X post on Saturday. Moments after the soccer community learned about the sudden demise of the two-time WSL title-winning manager, several renowned figures from the women’s game paid their tribute to Matt, including the USWNT head coach Emma Hayes.

Emma, who succeeded Matt as the Chelsea manager in 2012, took to Instagram to note her astonishment about the latter’s sudden demise. “

Can’t quite compute this,” Hayes wrote in her Instagram story, “Absolutely one of the best humans.” Hayes’ incredible success with the Blues owes a lot to Beard, who laid the foundations in the three years before the current US national team manager arrived at the London club. Naturally, she was gutted by the news.

To pay their last respects, Liverpool, his former Club, also decided to postpone their Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa. The two sides were supposed to clash at Villa Park this Sunday. “Following yesterday’s devastating news of Matt Beard’s passing, our Barclays WSL fixture with Liverpool has been postponed,” a statement from Aston Villa read.

Matt’s brother also paid tribute to the “most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him”. “We will love you forever Matt Matt,” he said in a social media post.

Along with Hayes, Liverpool, several WSL stars, and Beard’s former club, the Millwall Lionesses, all issued statements to note their devastated feelings. Not only did Matt lead the Reds to their incredible back-to-back WSL triumphs, but he was also instrumental in reinstating the team into the English top-flight upon returning as its boss in 2021.

Goes without saying, folks over at Liverpool are feeling the loss deeper than most others. “Liverpool Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard,” the Reds wrote in an official statement.

As for Beard’s coaching career, it spanned more than 17 years, beginning with the Millwall Lionesses in 2008 as his first head coaching role. He went on to manage Chelsea Ladies in 2009 before taking charge at Liverpool in 2012. After a successful spell on Merseyside, he moved to the United States in 2015 to coach the Boston Breakers.

In 2018, he returned to England to take over at West Ham United, and three years later, he made his way back to Liverpool, guiding them to promotion and a return to the WSL top flight. This year, he was appointed as Burnley’s manager in June but resigned after just two months in charge.

Now that Matt Beard is no more among us, we hope that his soul finds peace as the soccer community grapples with the irreplaceable void he has left behind.