At the coroner’s court, it was heard that paramedics were called to Beard’s home in Flintshire when the two-time WSL-winning manager was found hanged. He was taken to hospital in Chester, where he later died at 9:15pm on September 20, after his family agreed for life support to be turned off. Proceedings have now been adjourned and a full coroner’s inquest will be held at a future date to establish more detailed circumstances of Beard’s tragic passing.
After starting his coaching career in men’s and women’s football in and around London, Beard got his first managerial gig at Millwall Lionesses in 2008. From there, he moved to Chelsea, ultimately laying the foundations for the success that Emma Hayes would later have, before being appointed by Liverpool in 2012. The Reds won the WSL title in both 2013 and 2014, with Beard then trying his hand in the United States with Boston Breakers.
A return to English football saw him take West Ham to their first ever FA Cup final in 2019, with the team’s overall journey captured in a BBC reality series. Beard went back to Liverpool in 2021, taking over a side that had by then been relegated from the top flight, restoring them to the WSL and overseeing a hugely impressive fourth place finish in 2023-24. That saw him named Manager of the Season. Beard left Liverpool a second time in February 2025, with his final job a short two-month spell at Burnley over the summer.
The football community collectively stood together to mourn Beard. Liverpool’s WSL fixture the day after his death was postponed out of respect, while his picture was shown on big screens at the league’s other games that day and a moment’s silence was observed prior to kick-offs.
Former Liverpool player Fara Williams became tearful during the BBC’s live broadcast of Manchester United vs Arsenal, saying that “he meant so much to all of us”. United boss Marc Skinner referred to Beard as an “incredible human” and “iconic”. Hayes, his successor at Chelsea, referred to him as “absolutely one of the best humans” and “one of the good guys”. Ex-West Ham forward Alisha Lehmann recalled that he believed in her when no one else did.
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk said in a tribute from the club: “It’s rare for a football manager to be so loved by so many players. He coached hundreds of players but had interactions with many more and he just had this way of drawing people to him.”
Liverpool returned to WSL action for the first time since Beard’s passing on Sunday, with banners honouring Beard displayed in the stands for the visit of Manchester United, and fans putting on another tribute with applause in the 13th and 14th minutes to commemorate his WSL titles.
A fundraising page set up by football broadcaster Jacqui Oatley to support Beard’s wife and children has received more than £54,000 from well over 1,000 donors.
A service of commemoration for Beard will be held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on October 17, where fans and well wishers will be able to celebrate his life and the impact he had on so many.
