- The widow of acclaimed football manager Matt Beard has claimed he was "bullied" by his club, Burnley FC Women, before his death at the age of 47.
- Matt Beard, who previously led Liverpool Women to two Women's Super League titles, died on 20 September 2025, having resigned from his role as head coach at Burnley FC Women the previous month.
- His family believes that his departure from Burnley was the catalyst for a decline in his mental health, with his wife Debbie Beard telling a pre-inquest review, "I feel like they bullied him, to be honest."
- The senior coroner invited Burnley FC to become an interested person in the proceedings and will seek further evidence from a football agent and the League Managers Association.
- Mr Beard's stepson also expressed concerns regarding the timing of social media posts that he found "quite damaging" to the manager.
- If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
- If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Widow of acclaimed football manager Matt Beard claims club ‘bullied’ him before his death
