Matt Beard: Family calls for mandatory manager mental health checks after death
Matt’s family says he often struggled emotionally to let go of football and that negative comments on social media began to affect his mental health.
Breaking bad news to players about their place on the team or their future plans was particularly emotionally difficult, Debbie said.
“Matt always felt terrible when he had to let someone down,” he explains. “There would be tears, they could shout at him, sometimes the player’s family and fans would also be negative towards him.
“He and other staff would make the decisions, but the emotional burden fell entirely on him as he had to deliver the news.
“Matt was there for everyone and hated to disappoint people. He was thinking of everyone, but unfortunately not himself.”
In the summer before his death, Matt was appointed third-tier manager of Burnley.
However, Matt’s family say he is unhappy with the way the club is being run. WSL side Leicester City have announced their interest in recruiting Matt.
According to information obtained by BBC Sport, Burnley rejected Leicester’s offer to buy the remaining part of Matt’s contract. Matt later resigned but a transfer to Leicester never materialized.
Burnley put Matt on gardening leave, which meant he could not work or speak to other clubs for three months.
Burnley refused BBC Sport’s request for comment on Matt’s departure from the club.
At a pre-inquest review hearing last week, Debbie claimed Burnley was “bullying” Matt. The investigation has been postponed indefinitely.
Burnley said they were “aware of ongoing legal proceedings and will not be making any comment at this time”.
Debbie thinks the time Matt was unable to work contributed to his deteriorating mental state.
“He wasn’t allowed to say goodbye to his players or tell them why he was leaving,” says Debbie. “This had a huge impact on him.
“He found it difficult, [worrying about] how to provide for the family. I was working three jobs to support us.
“I think he felt like a bit of a failure.”
