Beard named manager of Burnley women

Matt Beard won two WSL titles with Liverpool in his first spell at the club

Former Liverpool manager Matt Beard has been named head coach of Burnley women in the third tier.

Beard has been out of football since being sacked by Liverpool in February but will oversee a new period for Burnley, who will go fully professional next season.

"I'm absolutely delighted. I'm so impressed with everybody I've met at the club and the conversations I've had. I'm looking forward to getting started," said Beard.

"Everybody's been so welcoming and [head of women's football] Lola Ogunbote has been a big part of that.

"I can promise the fan base, the players and the staff that I will work as hard as I can for them, with the aim of fulfilling our objectives."

The former Chelsea manager has had a successful coaching career, leading Liverpool to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014.

The 47-year-old returned for a second spell at the Merseyside club and won the Women's Championship title in 2022.

He had previous spells at National Women's Soccer League side Boston Breakers and West Ham, as well as an interim period in charge of Bristol City.

Burnley had been without a permanent head coach since Rebecca Sawiuk left with mutual consent in March.