Burnley’s Ambitious Move: Matt Beard in Advanced Talks Over Women’s Team Role
Statement of Intent from a Club on the Rise
Burnley are showing serious ambition as they prepare for life as a fully professional outfit in the women’s game. According to The Guardian, the Clarets are “in advanced talks with the former Liverpool manager Matt Beard about their women’s team’s head coach role.”
The potential appointment of Beard, a two-time Women’s Super League champion with Liverpool, could be a game-changer for a club currently operating in the third tier of women’s football in England. As The Guardian further notes, “it is understood the club are close to a deal with the 47-year-old in what would be a big statement of intent.”
Beard’s Anfield Legacy – Mixed but Meaningful
While Matt Beard’s most recent spell at Liverpool ended in February under a cloud of inconsistency, his overall contribution to the club’s women’s side deserves respect. His second stint included leading Liverpool back into the WSL in 2022, although the momentum stalled this past season. The Reds finished seventh, nine points clear of relegation, yet a considerable 15 points away from European qualification.
Still, Beard’s earlier tenure remains his standout contribution. He famously guided Liverpool Women to consecutive WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 – a golden era for the club. That pedigree, combined with recent experience managing a team in transition, makes him a seasoned candidate to lead Burnley into this next chapter.
Burnley’s Rise and the Push for Professionalism
Burnley’s move to become a fully professional women’s team next season marks a significant step forward. It mirrors the broader trend in women’s football where clubs are investing in infrastructure and experience to elevate their programmes. Hiring someone of Beard’s calibre would be a clear statement that Burnley are not content to merely compete—they intend to challenge.
With clubs like Newcastle United Women and Southampton FC Women already investing heavily in their squads and backroom teams, Burnley seem determined not to be left behind. The pursuit of a proven winner signals a desire to fast-track their ascent.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s standpoint, Matt Beard’s potential move to Burnley is bittersweet. On one hand, his departure marked a natural end to a chapter that wasn’t delivering the expected progress. On the other, Beard is a part of Liverpool Women’s history, and his achievements—especially those title-winning seasons—should not be forgotten.
For Burnley, this could be a masterstroke. They are preparing for the demands of professionalism, and in Beard they might gain a coach who understands how to build a culture of winning. The WSL is evolving rapidly, and success is no longer purely about resources—it’s about long-term planning, recruitment, and leadership. Beard ticks those boxes.
If the deal goes through, many Reds fans will be watching his progress with interest. After all, football is a small world, and the women’s game is increasingly interconnected. Beard taking Burnley up the divisions would not only be a story of redemption for him but a reflection of how the ecosystem of English women’s football continues to mature.
