The devastating final text message he received prior to his sibling’s death in September of last year was disclosed by the brother of former Liverpool Women’s manager Matt Beard.
After being discovered hanging at his Flintshire house in September of last year, Beard passed away in a hospital at the age of 47 from a brain injury. The football community, particularly the women’s game, was rocked by his passing.
His widow Debbie claimed that Burnley had “bullied” him during a pre-inquest review hearing, and as a result, the inquest has been postponed.
In an interview with the BBC, Matt’s brother Mark disclosed the last text his brother sent him. “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.” “He sent me a text that night saying: “I love you more than you’ll ever know, mate.” I said, “I love you more-r.”
During his five days in the hospital, I stayed by his side. I spent the entire night sitting up and singing him Millwall songs. Fortunately, everyone in the family was able to say farewell.
In September of last year, Matt Beard, a former manager of Liverpool Women’s, passed away at the age of 47.
Debbie, son Harry, daughter Ellie, and stepson Scott survive Beard.
The family has expressed their sorrow, and Debbie stated that they could not have predicted it on a typical day while Matt was walking the dog.
“We would never have seen that coming—not in a million years,” she remarked. “I’m struggling” is what I wish he had said.
The family claimed that Beard’s leaving Burnley “was the catalyst for a decline in his mental health” during the pre-inquest hearing last month.
“Matt left Burnley because he wasn’t happy there, not to go to another job,” Debbie stated. In essence, they prevented him from moving on. To be honest, I think they bullied him.
Senior coroner John Gittins stated that Burnley FC would be invited to participate in the hearings.
Just before he passed away, Beard made a video and requested that it be shown in court.
Debbie continued, “Matt was the kind of person who would say “yes I’m OK,” but he wouldn’t tell anyone.” However, it was evident in the way he behaved at home.
Beard was “bullied” by Burnley, according to his wife Debbie, who testified at a pre-inquest hearing. “It’s quite clear in the video Matt left, naming [Burnley chairman] Alan Pace as the instigator who put a stop to him talking to Leicester City.” “Matt left that video for a reason.” He wanted his voice to be heard and for that to be located.”
According to the BBC, Beard quit his position at Burnley after the Clarets turned down Leicester’s offer to buy out his contract before he was put on a three-month gardening leave.
According to Debbie, he was not permitted to bid his players farewell or explain his departure. “He was greatly affected by that.”He was struggling and wondering about how he would support the family. I was working three jobs to make ends meet. “I think he felt like a bit of a failure.”
The circumstances surrounding Beard’s resignation from the WSL team have not been addressed by Burnley.
Prior to his success with Liverpool, when he won consecutive Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, Beard managed the women’s teams of Millwall, Chelsea and West Ham.
In addition to leading West Ham to the 2019 FA Cup final, he also managed Millwall, Chelsea, and Boston Breakers in the USA. He will be put into the WSL Hall of Fame.
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