Liverpool Ladies appoint Matt Beard as new manager

Former Chelsea boss Matt Beard has been appointed the new manager of Women's Super League side Liverpool Ladies.

Beard replaces Robbie Johnson who left the club by mutual consent in June.

The 34-year-old resigned from his job at Chelsea in July after more than three years at the club having guided them to the 2012 FA Women's Cup final.

"We're delighted to appoint Matt as the new manager of Liverpool Ladies," said Reds director of corporate relations and communications Jen Chang.

"We interviewed a number of outstanding candidates, but Matt's tactical acumen and emphasis on a possession-based attacking style of play is an ideal fit with the long-term vision and philosophy that we are implementing for LFC Ladies."

The former Charlton Ladies and Millwall Lionesses manager, who will work at the club full-time, has agreed a deal until the end of the 2014 season and will have funds available to make additions to the squad.

Liverpool's first game after the summer break is away at Bristol Academy on Saturday, 18 August with the Reds second from bottom in the FA WSL.

Meanwhile, the club has released midfielder Lynda Shepherd, defender Nicola Twohig and striker Ruesha Littlejohn from their contracts ahead of the second half of the campaign.