Matt Beard


Matthew Beard is an English professional football manager, currently head coach of West Ham United Women. He has previously managed the women's teams of Chelsea and Liverpool, and was the head coach of Boston Breakers of the National Women's Soccer League.

Coaching career

Beard had his first coaching job as reserve team manager at non-league Kingstonian FC. He then had coaching stints at Tooting & Mitcham, Hampton & Richmond Borough, and Charlton Athletic Ladies. After Keith Boanas moved to Millwall Lionesses in 2008, Beard went too and succeeded in the Lionesses job when Boanas quit after six months. Beard's first fledgling steps in management guided the team to the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division title in 2008–09.
Beard was first team manager of Chelsea Ladies FC from 2009–2012, helping guide the club to the 2012 FA Women's Cup Final, the FA Premier League Cup Semi-finals, and a third-place finish in the FA National Premier League. He then took a position with Liverpool Ladies FC for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and was named FA WSL Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
On September 22, 2015, it was announced that Beard was leaving Liverpool Ladies FC, and had accepted a head coaching position with the Boston Breakers.
In June 2018, he was appointed manager of West Ham United Women.

Personal life

Beard and his wife, Debbie, have two children: Harry and Ellie. Matt also has a step-son Scott Hastings from Debbie's first marriage. Scott is a football coach for Chelsea FC.