BEARD ‘DELIGHTED’ TO TAKE ON WOMEN’S TEAM JOB

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Manager looks forward to new challenge

2025-06-24T10:09:37.917Z

BEARD ‘DELIGHTED’ TO TAKE ON WOMEN’S TEAM JOB

Manager looks forward to new challenge

2025-06-24T10:09:37.917Z

Manager looks forward to new challenge

New women’s team manager Matt Beard has expressed his excitement at being able to lead the staff and players in their first season as a full-time professional outfit.

The 47-year-old was formally appointed last week and, in a sit-down interview with Clarets+, discussed how his experience will help him in his new role and how much he is looking forward to getting to work on the training pitch.

Additionally, Beard, who has managed in the Women’s Super League with Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham United, emphasised how important he believes building a relationship with the Clarets fanbase will be.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” he said.

“I’ve had a good break and I’m ready to go and have been so impressed with everyone I’ve met at the Club and all the conversations I’ve had over the last few months.

“Everybody I’ve met has been so welcoming, and Lola (Ogunbote – Head of Women’s Football) has been a big part of that.

“I’ve got a good feeling about the club, the facilities and everything that comes with it and I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone else and getting started.”

BEARD ‘DELIGHTED’ TO TAKE ON WOMEN’S TEAM JOB - Image 1

Beard has experienced promotion twice to date in his managerial career, with the first time coming in his first women’s team job at Millwall in the 2008/09 season.

He then guided Liverpool from Championship to the Women’s Super League in 2022, and Beard has made no secret that promotion to the second tier, which was rebranded to WSL2 over the summer, is top of his priority list at Burnley.

“For me that’s the ambition this year – to get promoted,” he continued.

“I’ve done it at Millwall and Liverpool, so I know how to win league titles.

“My experience will definitely help but it’s not going the be about myself – it’s going to be about a team effort between the players on the pitch and the backroom staff.

“It (being full-time) is a massive part of that. For the aspiration to get promoted it’s a great platform.

“It’s been well documented the support the ownership gives to the women’s team here, and from the conversations I’ve had with Alan (Pace – Chairman) and Lola this is definitely the right move for me.”

BEARD ‘DELIGHTED’ TO TAKE ON WOMEN’S TEAM JOB - Image 2

When asked to describe himself as a manager, Beard emphasised the importance of adaptability and suggested that the make-up of his side will be determined later down the line.

“I’ll let other people judge what type of manager I am!” he said.

“One thing that I will always promise the fanbase, players and staff is that I will work as hard as I can for them, to hopefully fulfil our objectives.

“Our style of play will depend on the players we have available, but one thing I can say is that it will be a hard-working team and a team that the support base can be proud of.

I’ve not been on the grass since February so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m refreshed, I’m recharged, and I’m hungry.”

To finish, Beard issued a message to Clarets fans ahead of the new campaign.

“First and foremost, it’s going to be important for me to get to know the fanbase, and that’s something I’m looking forward to doing,” he said.

“Especially when we get to those tougher months at the back end of the season, their support will be very much needed in hopefully helping us cross the line if that’s the case.

“I think that’s one of the unique things in women’s football, the accessibility to the players, coaching staff etc. It’s something that’s important to me as well.”