The death of Matt Beard, a manager who left many marks on English women's football, has become controversial. His family demanded further investigation, saying there were problems with the response from his former club Burnley.
Global outlet "ESPN" reported on the 7th (Korea time) that Beard's wife testified at a pre-inquest hearing that she felt her husband had been "bullied" by Burnley before his death.
Beard was found dead at his home in September of the same year at the age of 47 after resigning as Burnley manager in the women's Super League (WSL) in August last year. He was taken to a hospital but never regained consciousness. It was reported that brain damage was the direct cause of death.
Beard previously managed the women's teams at Millwall, Chelsea and West Ham and led Liverpool's women's team to consecutive WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, among other successes. However, after taking charge of Burnley's women's team in June 2025, he stepped down after about a month and died three weeks later.
A pre-inquest hearing into Beard's death was recently held at Rushen County Hall. At the hearing, his family raised objections to the scope of the inquiry. They said leaving Burnley worsened Beard's mental health and requested testimony from club officials at the final inquest.
His wife, Debby Beard, said, "Matt did not leave Burnley to look for another job. He left because he was not happy there," and added, "Burnley did not allow him to move to another place. To be honest, I think they bullied him."
Stepson Scott Beard also testified that Burnley's social media posts were "considerably harmful" to Beard. Chief coroner John Gittins said he plans to request additional evidence from agent Curtis Doss and the League Managers Association (LMA). It is known that Beard consulted with them over treatment issues while at Burnley.
A Burnley club representative is also expected to attend the hearing. Coroner Gittins said, "I think Matt leaving Burnley was the catalyst for the deterioration of his mental health, and that deterioration led to events that ultimately resulted in his death," and added, "Having heard the family's statements today, I ask that Burnley participate in the investigation as an interested party. Whether they accept is up to them."
According to the Guardian, Burnley is holding back comment. A spokesperson for Burnley, who achieved promotion to the second tier of English women's football this season, said in an official statement, "The club is aware of the ongoing legal processes. We will not make any comment at this time."
The evidence collected so far includes statements from Beard's agent and treating physician, and materials provided by Burnley and Leicester City women's teams that had shown interest in signing him before and after he left Burnley. A postponed inquest will proceed after reviewing this and other evidence obtained through further investigation.
Beard's family also want a video he recorded shortly before his death to be shown in court. According to the BBC, his wife emphasized, "In the video Matt left behind, the Burnley chairman clearly says he blocked negotiations with Leicester. There is a reason he left that video. He wanted it to be found, and he wanted to make his voice heard."
Meanwhile, Beard was posthumously inducted into the WSL hall of fame last April, and tributes poured in from the football world after news of his death. About 600 people attended his funeral at Liverpool Cathedral, including Liverpool legend Ian Rush and former England internationals Casey Stoney, Leah Sanderson and Fara Williams.
[Photo] Sky Sports.
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