Liverpool unveil memorials for former women’s boss Matt Beard

Liverpool has unveiled permanent memorials outside Anfield and at its training ground to honour former women’s team manager Matt Beard, who died in 2025. According to BBC Sport, Beard passed away on 20 September 2025, aged 47, and led the club in two spells (2012-15 and 2021-25).

A legacy to remember

Under Beard’s guidance, Liverpool won the Women’s Super League in 2013 and 2014 back to back. He then also oversaw their return to the WSL in 2022, after the team won the FA Women’s Championship, as BBC Sport reports. Beard was named WSL manager of the season twice and was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Memorials and wider tributes

Players, staff and Beard’s family attended a private ceremony at the club’s Melwood training ground on Friday, where a memorial garden bearing his name was unveiled. A commemorative tree was also planted in his honour on 97 Avenue outside Anfield Stadium.

The tributes run alongside mental-health and community initiatives. BBC Sport says Liverpool’s Premier League home match versus Fulham on Saturday will be dedicated to the league’s Together Against Suicide campaign, running from 4 to 14 September to encourage conversations around suicide prevention and support. Fans of the Reds will also raise money for men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club by walking from Melwood to Brewdog Stadium in St Helens before Sunday’s WSL match against Tottenham. Separately, the Liverpool FC Foundation launched its Kicking Off Conversations Hub last September to provide specialist help to supporters.