Matt Beard: Widow of former Burnley FC coach claims club ‘bullied’ him before his death
The widow of well-known football manager and coach Matt Beard has claimed he was “bullied” by his club before his death.
Beard, 47, died on September 20, 2025, after resigning as head coach of Burnley FC Women a month earlier.
She has previously managed the Millwall, Chelsea and West Ham women’s teams, as well as the Liverpool Women’s team, which won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014.
A preliminary investigation review was held on Thursday.
The father-of-two, of Hawarden, Deeside, North Wales, died at the Countess of Chester Hospital, the hearing at Ruthin County Hall was told.
It is also heard that Beard’s family have concerns about his tenure at Burnley FC, which he joined after leaving Liverpool in February 2025.
The family’s departure from Burnley was a “catalyst for his deterioration in mental health”, the hearing was told.
His wife, Debbie Beard, said: “Matt left Burnley to avoid going to another job. He left Burnley because he wasn’t happy there. They basically didn’t let him move on. I think they were bullying him, to be honest.”
Senior coroner John Gittins said he would invite Burnley FC to become a person of interest in the case.
He said anyone who caused or contributed to a death through act or omission was entitled to relevant person status.
The coroner said he would hold an inquest to get more evidence from football manager Curtis Dawes and the League Managers’ Association (LMA), which he is said to have consulted over concerns about Mr Beard’s treatment at Burnley.
Mr Beard’s stepson, Scott Beard, told the investigative review he also had concerns about the timing of social media posts that were “quite damaging” to the executive.
The investigation was postponed to a later date.
Nearly 600 people attended Mr Beard’s funeral, held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, including former Liverpool player Ian Rush and former England internationals Casey Stoney, Lianne Sanderson and Fara Williams.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or finding it difficult to cope, you can speak to Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org or visit . Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.
