Arne Slot pays tribute to Matt Beard

Beard enjoyed two hugely successful spells in charge of the Reds’ women’s team, winning back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 as well as helping return them to the top flight with promotion as Championship champions in 2022.

“My reaction was one of grief,” Slot told Liverpoolfc.com. “I met him last season and he not only did great things for this football club, for the women’s team, back-to-back league titles, came back to [the] new women’s team when they were playing one division below, so that tells you probably how much he loved the club as well.

“If you hear a thing like this, I think 47 if I’m correct – that’s my age as well at the moment – then [you are] devastated to hear.”

News of Beard’s passing has been greeted by an outpouring of grief and condolences right across football, demonstrating the huge impact he made in the development of the women’s game.

Liverpool FC pays tribute to Matt Beard

Furthermore, his qualities as a man have been highlighted by all those fortunate enough to have worked with him throughout his career.

Slot continued: “I think in these moments the football world always shows itself at its best – and that’s also what happened now. It’s not only that he gets all the respect he deserves here at Liverpool but I think all around women’s football.

“I’ve heard and also saw the respect the Arsenal fans showed him, so that tells you how much impact he had on the game of football. [But] then we only talk about football, I think the Melwood staff and everyone that worked with him liked him so much – and that’s probably even a more important legacy to leave behind than the trophies you win.

“That the person you are is always more important than what you’ve won. But in his situation, both things were combined – so successful as a manager and a great human being.”

Liverpool’s men’s team will honour Beard at Anfield on Tuesday evening, with tributes planned ahead of their Carabao Cup third-round tie with Southampton.

“It’s very important for us to pay tribute, for what he meant for this football club,” said Slot.

“This football club is not only the men’s team, it’s also the women’s team and he had an enormous impact on women’s football here with Liverpool. But apart from that, it’s also his family that’s going through such a hard time at the moment.

“As I’ve experienced being here now for one-and-a-half years, if people are going through a difficult period, the Liverpool fans and we as a team always want to be there for the people that go through such a difficult time. That’s now the situation for his wife and his three children.”

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