Beard inquest delayed over Burnley 'bullying' concerns

Breaking news from the world of sport: Beard inquest delayed over Burnley 'bullying' concernsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Across two spells managing Liverpool, Matt Beard led the club to two WSL titles and one Championship trophyByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished17 minutes agoThe inquest into the death of former Women's Super League football manager Matt Beard has been delayed over concerns raised by his family about alleged "bullying" surrounding his departure from Burnley Women. Beard died aged 47 in September 2025 at the Countess of Chester Hospital. A provisional verdict of suicide was recorded when the inquest was opened shortly afterwards.

The inquest was to conclude at Denbighshire Coroner's Court on Thursday, in a hearing scheduled to last 45 minutes, but the Beard family objected to the scope of the investigation. The family told the court that they feel the circumstances of Beard's departure from his managerial position at Burnley in August 2025 - two months after taking charge - contributed to a deterioration in his mental wellbeing, and asked that a witness from the club give live evidence at the final inquest. The evidence gathered so far includes statements from Beard's agent and GP, as well as material provided by Burnley and Leicester City Women, who had shown interest in hiring Beard before and after his departure from the Clarets.

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The family also wants a video Beard recorded shortly before his death to be heard in court. "Matt left Burnley of his own accord because he wasn't happy there," his wife Debbie told the court. "But they wouldn't allow him to move on .

I feel like they bullied him. "Matt was the type of person who would say 'yeah I'm fine' - he wouldn't admit it to anyone. But you could see it in his manner at home.

"It's quite clear in the video Matt left, naming Alan Pace as the instigator who put a stop to him talking to Leicester City. "Matt left that video for a reason. He wanted that to be found and he wanted his voice heard.

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"The former Liverpool boss' stepson Scott Beard told the hearing he had concerns about social media posts by Burnley he felt were "quite damaging" to the manager. In response, coroner John Gittins said that he would invite Burnley to take an active role in the inquest. "You feel that when he left Burnley that was the catalyst for a decline in his mental health, and that the decline resulted in the events which led to his death," Gittins said.

"Having listened to members of the family today, bearing in mind the matters you've drawn my attention, I will invite Burnley FC to become an interested person for the inquest. Whether they choose to accept that request is a matter for them. "You have made very clear to me that in this particular instance you want that in the public domain.

"That video is the best evidence I may have of an intention to harm himself.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.