The inquest into former Women's Super League manager Matt Beard's death has been postponed after his family raised concerns about alleged bullying surrounding his departure from Burnley Women. Beard died aged 47 in September 2025 at Countess of Chester Hospital, with a provisional cause of death recorded as suicide.

Beard's family told Denbighshire Coroner's Court they believe the circumstances of his departure from Burnley - just two months after taking charge in August 2025 - contributed to a deterioration in his mental wellbeing. His wife Debbie claimed the club "bullied" him and prevented him from moving to Leicester City. The family wants a video Beard recorded shortly before his death to be heard in court, and requested a witness from Burnley give live evidence. Coroner John Gittins invited Burnley FC to become an interested person in the inquest, which was postponed indefinitely.

Beard was one of women's football's most respected figures, managing seven clubs and leading Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014. He was voted WSL manager of the season twice and was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame last month. Hundreds mourners attended his funeral at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, with tributes pouring in from across the football community.