Former Liverpool manager Beard honored in WSL Hall of Fame 2026

Matt Beard was posthumously inducted into the Women's Super League Hall of Fame along with Casey Stoney and Kerys Harrop.

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced Matt Beard, who previously managed Liverpool, has been honored posthumously in the Women's Super League Hall of Fame. Casey Stoney and Kerys Harrop were also inducted alongside him. Beard passed away in September 2025 at the age of 47, just months after his second stint as Liverpool manager ended in February 2025. His final coaching role was at Burnley, where he stepped down in August 2025 after only two months. ## Beard's Coaching Journey Highlighted The WSL statement highlighted Beard's nearly two-decade-long involvement in English women's football, most prominently as manager of Chelsea, Liverpool, and West Ham United. He made history by managing Chelsea in the Barclays WSL's inaugural match in April 2011. Beard secured two league titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014 and guided West Ham to the 2019 Women's FA Cup Final. ## Stoney's Playing and Coaching Legacy Casey Stoney earned 130 caps for England and captained the national team in three World Cups and the 2012 London Olympics. As a player, she won 12 major trophies, including two league titles and four FA Cups, across stints at Chelsea, Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Lincoln Ladies, and Liverpool. After retiring from playing in February 2018 at age 35, she became Manchester United’s first head coach and led them to promotion in her debut season. Stoney later took charge of San Diego Wave before assuming her current role with Canada’s women’s national team. ## Harrop's WSL Career Recognized Kerys Harrop made her WSL debut for Birmingham City in 2011 and helped the club lift the FA Cup the following year. She made 135 appearances for Birmingham before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2020 and retiring in 2023. The WSL described her as a player who spent her entire 12-year career in the Barclays WSL and once held the league’s appearance record. She is credited as a pioneer who earned legendary status with Birmingham City. ## Podcast and WSL Updates Available Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie are returning for a new season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and related competitions. Extra features and discussions are also available on the Women’s Football Weekly feed. Fans can follow the latest WSL news on the dedicated page.