‘Superhuman’ managers shouldn’t have to ask for help – Beard’s family on loss

'Superhuman' managers shouldn't have to ask for help – Beard's family on lossMatt Beard's wife Debbie and son Harry are calling for bespoke, targeted mental health support for football managers

This article contains discussion of suicide.

"A cheeky chappy – the Del Boy of football."

That is how Debbie Beard remembers her husband, the football manager Matt Beard, who died aged 47 in September.

As one of the most successful and beloved managers in the women's game, his death shook the world of football and beyond.

Tributes poured in from players he had coached, rivals his teams had faced along the way and fans who were charmed by his playful, down-to-earth persona.

Few could believe that a man who always had a smile for everybody could have taken such a heartbreaking decision.

As well as being a two-time Women's Super League winner with Liverpool, Matt was a father to son Harry, daughter Ellie, and stepson Scott.

Speaking to BBC Sport at the family home in North Wales, Debbie says she would not wish the impact of Matt's death on her worst enemy, and has urged football to introduce regular, mandatory mental health checks for managers – so that no more families have to suffer the same pain.

"It was just normal" is how Debbie describes the day Matt died, having taken the family dog for a long walk earlier.

"We would never have seen that coming – not in a million years. I just wish he had said 'I'm struggling'."

Debbie knew her husband had experienced emotional difficulties in the past – including following the death of his father in 2022 – but says he would continue to work and behave as normal.

She feels Matt's death should herald a change in the way the mental health of football managers is monitored.

Debbie believes the onus shouldn't be on managers to ask for help, given they may not prioritise their own wellbeing in a competitive environment where spare time is in very short supply.

"I want to see a change – there should be proper mental health checks for managers," Debbie says.

"It's such high-stakes pressure that they are under, it should be part of the regular monitoring.

"There should be a designated safe space that managers can go and talk to someone and offload. It should be mandatory that someone sees them, no questions asked, once a week for a check-in.

"There is so much emphasis on strength and conditioning in football, but for mental health they have to be the ones to speak up and ask for help, which I don't think is right."

The League Managers' Association (LMA) runs a variety of initiatives designed to help football managers with their mental health, including confidential counselling with consultant psychiatrists, health insurance access, and mental health education workshops.

The LMA told BBC Sport there was a "need for continued education in spotting the signs and symptoms of those who are struggling".

It added: "Football management and coaching is a profession that can often lead to stress, anxiety, burnout, and a number of other serious associated mental health conditions.

"We continue to proactively work with the game and its stakeholders to address mental health in a more unified and collaborative way."

Matt and Debbie married in 2009, having met when he became her estate agent – a job he did part-time during his early days in football coaching

Matt led Liverpool to back-to-back Women's Super League titles, in 2013 and 2014, and in his second stint with the Reds oversaw their promotion back to the WSL from the Championship in 2021.

He also managed Millwall, Chelsea and Boston Breakers in the USA, as well as West Ham, who he took to the 2019 FA Cup final.

Next week, Matt will be inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame.

His funeral was held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, so large was the number of people wanting to pay their respects, and family and friends were joined by leading figures from across football including USA manager Emma Hayes, ex-England captain Casey Stoney and Liverpool legend Ian Rush.

Matt's brother Mark, who played in the Football League for Millwall and Sheffield United among other teams and is now manager of Hull City Under-18s, told the service Matt's death should be a lesson for everybody.

Matt's brother Mark says managers are under so much pressure that being honest about their mental health is difficult

"I just wish he knew how much he was loved in those final moments, because he probably felt the world was against him, but it wasn't," Mark tells BBC Sport.

"He sent me a text that night saying: 'I love more than you'll ever know, mate.' I sent one back saying: 'I love you more-r.'

"I didn't leave his side for the five days he was in the hospital. I was sat up all night playing Millwall songs to him. Thankfully all the family had a chance to say goodbye."

Matt (left) and Mark (right) inherited a passion for following Millwall from their father Mick (centre)

Mark remembers his brother as an inspirational leader whose deep connection with his players mirrored his loving personality at home.

"He always had the love of the players," Mark says. "That's the difference between Matt and other managers.

"Whatever tactics he set out, his teams were always exciting to watch and the girls would give everything for him.

"As a manager, you're in charge of all the staff and 20 or so players, so you never take time to look after yourself.

"All managers think we're superhuman, but deep down, you know when you're struggling. I just hope to God there's not another death."

Matt's family say he often struggled to emotionally switch off from football, and that negative comments on social media had begun to have an impact on his mental health.

He found breaking bad news to players about their place in the squad or future plans particularly difficult emotionally, according to Debbie.

"Matt always felt so bad having to let someone down," she explains. "There would be tears, they might have shouted at him, and the player's family and the fans could sometimes be negative towards him too.

"He and other staff members would make the decisions but, because he had to deliver the news, the emotional burden all came down on to him.

"Matt was there for everybody and he hated letting people down. He looked out for everyone else, but sadly not himself."

In the summer leading up to his death, Matt had been appointed manager of Burnley in the third tier.

But Matt's family say he wasn't happy with the way the club was being run. WSL side Leicester City made it known they were interested in hiring Matt.

BBC Sport understands Burnley turned down an offer from Leicester to buy out the rest of Matt's contract. Matt then resigned, but the move to Leicester never came to pass.

Burnley placed Matt on gardening leave, meaning he was unable to work or talk to other clubs for a period of three months.

Burnley declined a request to comment from BBC Sport on the nature of Matt's departure from the club.

In a pre-inquest review hearing last week, Debbie alleged that Burnley "bullied" Matt. The inquest was adjourned indefinitely.

Burnley said they were "aware of an ongoing legal process and will not be making any comment at this time".

Debbie believes the time Matt was unable to work contributed to a deterioration in his mental state.

"He wasn't allowed to say goodbye to his players or tell them why he left," Debbie says. "That had a huge impact on him.

"He was finding it hard, [worrying about] how he would provide for the family. I was working three jobs just to get us through.

"I think he felt like a bit of a failure."

Matt, a two-time WSL manager of the season, celebrated Liverpool's 2021 Championship win with his adoring family

Matt's legacy in football will be as a trailblazing coach who delivered charming and funny interviews, as well as possessing a terrific ability to uncover and nurture young talent.

But his 15-year-old son Harry's favourite memories of his dad were made at home, where Matt was a larger-than-life character who cherished his family.

The pair would often bond by playing Minecraft together, but it was in the kitchen that Harry remembers Matt happiest.

"He was always singing in the kitchen, cooking breakfast, and making roast dinners," Harry says.

"It is only when something happens that all this love comes out, but it should have been way before.

"You don't see many people congratulating managers on a win, and it's ridiculous because when they get a loss, they get battered online.

"There should be more love for the managers out there."

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line.

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