Liverpool fans react as ‘inevitable’ Anfield exit announced – ‘Thank god’
Liverpool fans have responded on social media after an announcement was made regarding LFC Women’s manager Matt Beard.
Beard has managed the Reds’ Women for seven years across two different spells, the first of which came between 2012 and 2015 before returning to Merseyside in 2021, and has been laden with success.
Liverpool Women have won two Women’s Super League titles under Beard – both coming in his first spell – and after falling on hard times, Beard brought them back the top-flight a year after his return in 2022.
Only last season, Beard was named as the FA WSL Manager of the Season as the Reds finished fourth, but things haven’t gone so smoothly this term, with Liverpool Women sat seventh in the WSL table.
Liverpool announce immediate Matt Beard departure
The Reds are a whopping 15 points off the pace in the hunt for a Women’s Champions League place, and a further 10 away from Chelsea at the top, and their underwhelming campaign has cost Beard his job.
Liverpool announced both on X and their website (27 February) that they’ve parted company with Beard effective immediately, with several senior figures at Anfield thanking the 47-year-old for his long service.
Amber Whiteley will take interim charge of Liverpool Women with immediate effect as they begin the search for a new permanent manager, ahead of facing Crystal Palace at Gander Green Lane on Sunday.
Liverpool fans react to Matt Beard exit news – ‘Saw it coming’
Fans’ responses to Beard’s exit from the Totally Wicked Stadium – which the Reds relocated to from Prenton Park this season – have been mixed, with many accepting it was the right time for him to leave.
One supporter summed up the mood by saying that Liverpool had “hit a ceiling” under Beard, and later arguing that the fortunes of the Reds’ Women have “definitely gone backwards” this term.
Other fans weren’t quite as balanced, with two exclaiming “thank God” in response to the news; the former stating that they “couldn’t wait” for Beard to leave the club.
He’s done a great job for the team but seems to have a hit a ceiling which is a shame as he’s a quality manager. Hopefully we will find a hungry replacement that can utilise the attackers we have before we lose them to better teams! 👍🏼⚽️❤️
— Colin Pugh (@Col10Pug) February 27, 2025
Yeah agreed, was hoping to build on last season and especially with the signings we made but definitely gone backwards. Need a strong summer recruitment and rebuild
— Colin Pugh (@Col10Pug) February 27, 2025
Thank God… being waiting for him to leave, the team was not playing well anymore
— Prince Olakunle_diamond 🐐 (@Olakunlediamon2) February 27, 2025
thank god, i think its clear as day he has took this team as far as he can, the team needed something new
— CyberpunkGamer94 (@GamerCyberpunk) February 27, 2025
All the best Matt, top man!
— 🅘 (@LFCApproved) February 27, 2025
I just saw it coming. I couldn’t watch our women play because the coach wasn’t that good.
— Dearboy🦅 (@deg_gem) February 27, 2025
Thankyou Matt for promotion but great decision cos his football is dire and people like me have like lost interest
— Richie72 (@Rb84377821) February 27, 2025
Was inevitable
— Velimir Radulović (@velimirius) February 27, 2025
rival fans acting like matt beard being sacked is a shocking decision like we’re genuinely awful
— fiona (@Ioglady) February 27, 2025
Further correspondence followed from more complimentary fans, with one calling Beard a “top man” and another thanking the 47-year-old for taking Liverpool Women back into the WSL.
That same supporter, however, added that Beard’s football had become “dire”, with another adding that they “couldn’t watch” the Reds Women anymore and admitting they “saw it [Beard’s exit] coming”.
The feeling that the time was right to move on was reflected by other fans, with one stating Beard’s exit was “inevitable”, and another being surprised at some of the reaction to his departure, stating: “We’re genuinely awful.”