Scott Phelan has paid tribute to Matt Beard and the legacy he helped create for women’s football and hopes this weekend’s derby will pay tribute to the former Liverpool coach who passed away last year at just 47.
Beginning his coaching career at Millwall Lionesses in 2008, Beard would then take up the reins at Chelsea before arriving at Liverpool Women in 2012. During his four years in charge, the Chester native was named FA Women’s Super League Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, Beard
accepted a head coaching position with the Boston Breakers, but his affiliation with the Reds was not over and he was re-appointed manager of Liverpool in 2021 after spells with West Ham United and Bristol City, and went on to win the FA Women’s Championship on Merseyside by the end of the season.
And Phelan feels that is a legacy that is well worth paying tribute to, with Sunday’s clash with Everton Women being the perfect occasion t do so.
“I think he [Matt Beard] did a massive amount [for women’s football],” he said.
“I am yet to meet a person who has a single bad word to say about him. It is people like him who have raised the standards for the women’s game.
“His presence was always felt in this city. The number of girls who have come across his path, it is still hard for them to comprehend. Hopefully, we recognise him on Sunday and his efforts.”
The first Merseyside derby of the WSL season takes place at Anfield on Sunday, 27 September at 2pm BST (9am ET, 4am PT).
Both sides go into the clash off the back of wins in the Subway Players Cup, with the Blues currently sitting two places and two points clear of their city neighbours.
