Liverpool’s Women’s Super League match at Aston Villa on Sunday has been postponed following the death of former manager Matt Beard.
Beard, 47, led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, and returned for a second spell in 2021.
“Following the tragic death of former Liverpool Women head coach Matt Beard last night, Liverpool’s players were rightly offered the opportunity to postpone today’s Barclays WSL fixture,” Aston Villa said in a statement.
“We apologise to fans for the late notice and inevitable inconvenience but would ask for understanding at this sad time. The club will be in touch regarding the rearranged fixture in due course.
“Meanwhile our thoughts and condolences remain with Matt’s family.”
Beard began his managerial career with Millwall Lionesses in 2008 and won promotion in his first season. A three-year spell at Chelsea followed in which he took them to an FA Cup final.
He won back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014, and managed the club during their first ever Champions League campaign.
Beard also had spells in charge of Boston Breakers in the United States and back in England with West Ham and Bristol City.
He returned to Liverpool in 2021 for a four-year term and led the Reds to promotion back to the WSL, helping them to a seventh-placed finish the following season. His last job was a brief period at Burnley.
It was also announced on Sunday that Burnley’s Women’s National League match against West Brom has been postponed.
The Women’s Super League posted on X that a minute’s silence will be held before kick-off in the games taking place on in both the WSL and WSL2.
