A pre-inquest hearing hears that former Liverpool Women’s manager Matt Beard felt he was “bullied” by Burnley before his death. Beard, 47, died on 20 September 2025 after resigning from his role as head coach of Burnley Women. According to reporting from multiple outlets, Beard had been appointed as Burnley Women’s manager in June 2025 and left the club in August 2025, resigning a little more than three weeks before his death.
The Guardian reports that family members describe the Burnley exit as a catalyst for a decline in Beard’s mental health and say they believed he was bullied. The Athletic similarly reports that Beard’s widow feels he was bullied by Burnley prior to his death. Daily Mail coverage also highlights statements from Beard’s family about his personal experience of the situation, including references to messages exchanged shortly before his death.
The outlets agree on the core timeline: Beard’s appointment in June 2025, his resignation in August, and his death in September 2025, alongside the family’s account that Burnley’s conduct left him feeling bullied.
