The football world lost one of its brightest lights this September when Matt Beard, the beloved former Liverpool Women's manager, passed away at just 47 years old. His wife, Debbie, remembers him as "a cheeky chappy—the Del Boy of football"—a man whose playful, down-to-earth personality charmed everyone he met.

As a two-time Women's Super League champion, Beard wasn't just a tactical genius on the pitch; he was a father to son Harry, daughter Ellie, and stepson Scott, and a friend to countless players and fans. When news of his death broke, tributes flooded in from across the sport—from the players he coached to the rivals he faced. No one could believe that a man who always wore a smile could be carrying such a heavy burden.

Now, speaking from the family home in North Wales, Debbie Beard is bravely sharing their story to spark change in how football supports its managers. "We would never have seen that coming—not in a million years," she tells BBC Sport. "I just wish he had said, 'I'm struggling.'"

Beard had faced emotional challenges before, especially after losing his father in 2022, but he would always push through, returning to work with his usual energy. Debbie believes that's exactly why the system needs to change. Managers in high-stakes roles like the WSL shouldn't have to ask for help when their competitive drive and packed schedules make self-care nearly impossible.

"I want to see a change—there should be proper mental health checks for managers," Debbie insists. "It's such high-stakes pressure that they are under, it should be part of the regular monitoring." She envisions a future where every manager has access to a designated safe space to talk and offload, with mandatory check-ins built into their routines. "It should be mandatory that someone sees them, no questions asked," she adds.

For the sports community, this is a powerful reminder that even the most successful figures can be silently struggling. As we wear our team colors with pride, let's also remember the people behind the game—and the support they need to thrive both on and off the pitch.