Matt Beard death: Robbie Fowler and Everton boss lead tributes to 'lovely man and top coach'
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Tributes have been paid to Matt Beard after the death of the former Liverpool Women's team manager at the age of 47.
Figures from across Merseyside football and beyond have been paying their respects to Beard, who won the Women's Super League title twice in his first spell at Liverpool in 2013 and 2014, and also won the Women's Championship title in 2022.
Beard left the Reds last summer, and several of his former players as well as other well-known figures in football have been paying tribute.
READ MORE:Ex-Liverpool Women boss Matt Beard dies aged 47 as respects paid to WSL winnerREAD MORE:Liverpool FC issue statement as Matt Beard dies aged 47
Former Liverpool Women's star Missy Bo Kearns wrote on Instagram: "I can't believe I am writing this I am devastated, you believed in my from day one and we got on like a house on fire.
"I am grateful for all the opportunities you gave me like making me the youngest women's captain for my home town club, giving me opportunities to play for the club week in week out.
I'll be there for the family and kids always because you made me part of the family."
Former Everton star Toni Duggan wrote: "So very, very sad.
A great man, gone far too soon."
Reds legend Robbie Fowler said: "Awful news...
RIP Matt."
Current Everton Women's boss Brian Sorensen said: "This is heartbreaking.
All my love goes out to Matt and his family."
Ex-England star Anita Asante said: "Beardy was not only a lovely man, and top coach he was passionate about the women’s game, driving the sport forward & impacting every generation of player he worked with.
He spoke of his family with pride often and my heartfelt condolences go out to them and all who knew him."
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Liverpool had announced the news in a statement on Saturday, saying Beard "was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club."
The Reds' WSL game at Aston Villa on Sunday has been postponed, with the league saying: "Everyone at WSL Football extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Matt Beard following news of his passing.
"Matt played an instrumental role in the growth of women's football and will be missed by everyone associated with the game.