Matt Beard’s wife feels he was ‘bullied’ by Burnley prior to his death, coroner told

Matt Beard’s wife feels he was ‘bullied’ by Burnley prior to his death, coroner told

The family of Matt Beard has raised concerns that his time working at and his departure from Burnley Football Club contributed to the decline in his mental health and ultimately his death.

Beard left Burnley in August 2025 two months after being appointed as manager of the women’s team. He died on September 20, 2025, aged 47, at the Countess of Chester Hospital after suffering a hypoxic brain injury as a result of hanging.

During a pre-inquest hearing at Ruthin Coroner’s Office in Denbighshire, Wales on Thursday, Beard’s wife Debbie alleged that Burnley “bullied him” and the hearing was told his family felt his departure was a “catalyst” in the decline of his mental health.

The full inquest into Beard’s death has subsequently been delayed with John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales (East and Central), concluding that “further work needs doing” and that additional evidence surrounding the circumstances that led to his death should be collected.

“Matt left Burnley not to go to another job,” Debbie told the court. “He left Burnley because he was not happy there. Basically, they didn’t allow him to move on. I feel they bullied him, to be honest.

“He was the type of person who would say, ‘yes, I’m fine’, and he wouldn’t admit it. You could see it in his manner at home.”

Statements from Burnley and Leicester City Women — who were linked with hiring Beard after his departure from Burnley — have been collected, Thursday’s hearing heard, while evidence has also been gathered from GP reports.

Enquiries will be made to football agent Curtis Dawes, who served as Beard’s agent, and the League Managers Association who, the court was told, Beard had consulted with, for further evidence.

Burnley will be invited to be an interested party in the proceedings.

The family also want a video recorded by Beard prior to his death to be heard.