The family of the late football manager Matt Beard has issued a powerful call for mandatory mental health support in the sport, saying that managers who are perceived as 'superhuman' should not have to ask for help. Speaking to BBC Sport at their family home in North Wales, Debbie Beard and son Harry demanded bespoke, targeted mental health checks for all football managers, following Matt's death at age 47 in September.
Matt Beard, a two-time Women's Super League winner with Liverpool and a beloved figure in the women's game, died by suicide. His wife Debbie described him as a 'cheeky chappy - the Del Boy of football,' someone who always had a smile for everybody. 'We would never have seen that coming - not in a million years,' she said. 'I just wish he had said "I'm struggling."'
The family believes the football industry places an unreasonable burden on managers to self-identify mental health issues, which often goes against their competitive nature and packed schedules. Debbie advocates for a mandatory weekly check-in with a designated safe space where managers can offload without judgment. 'There is so much emphasis on strength and conditioning in football, but for mental health they have to be the ones to speak up and ask for help, which I don't think is right,' she said.
Matt's brother Mark, a former professional player and current Hull City Under-18s manager, echoed these sentiments. 'All managers think we're superhuman, but deep down, you know when you're struggling. I just hope to God there's not another death,' he said. Mark recalled the pressure managers face: 'You're in charge of all the staff and 20 or so players, so you never take time to look after yourself.'
The League Managers' Association (LMA) currently offers confidential counselling, health insurance, and mental health workshops. However, the Beard family argues that these reactive measures are insufficient. The LMA acknowledged 'the need for continued education in spotting the signs and symptoms of those who are struggling' and stressed the profession's link to 'stress, anxiety, burnout, and a number of other serious associated mental health conditions.'
Matt's struggles intensified after the death of his father in 2022, and he found it emotionally difficult to deliver bad news to players. Debbie noted that negative comments on social media also took a toll. 'Matt was there for everybody and he hated letting people down. He looked out for everyone else, but sadly not himself,' she said.
In the months before his death, Matt had taken a managerial role at Burnley in the third tier, but his family said he was unhappy with the club's direction. An offer from Leicester City to buy out his contract was rejected by Burnley, and after resigning, he was placed on gardening leave for three months. Debbie alleged in a pre-inquest review that Burnley had 'bullied' Matt, a claim the club declined to comment on. The inquest has been adjourned indefinitely.
Debbie believes the enforced period away from work contributed to his deteriorating mental state. 'He wasn't allowed to say goodbye to his players or tell them why he left. That had a huge impact,' she said. The family's call for change comes as Matt is set to be inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame next week.
The mental health of football managers has long been an underdiscussed issue, with the high-stakes environment often leaving little room for vulnerability. The Beard family's advocacy aims to ensure that no other family has to endure the same tragedy. As Mark Beard said during Matt's funeral, '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.'
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.