BBC Women's Football Weekly - Remembering Matt Beard

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie remember the former Liverpool manager Matt Beard who has died at the age of 47. Natasha Dowie who played under Beard with Liverpool, Charlton Athletic and Boston Breakers tells us about ‘Beardy’ and her experiences with him which started at the age of 17 when she joined Charlton Athletic.

Tash followed Matt to Boston Breakers and Liverpool where she finished her career and talks to us about how she always wanted to make him proud. Senior Women’s football reporter Emma Sanders joins the podcast who got to know Matt while at university and their friendship off the pitch over the years, including pints at the pub!

Former German international Julia Simic who played under Beard at West Ham tells us she went there because of Matt Beard and how he has heavily impacted her as a coach now.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Published on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025.

Available Podcasts from BBC Women's Football Weekly

Subscribe to BBC Women's Football Weekly

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the BBC Women's Football Weekly webpage.