One of the most experienced coaches in the top flight, Matt Beard got his managerial break with Millwall, who he guided to promotion during his first season with the club in 2008/09.

Three years with Chelsea followed before he took the Liverpool job, guiding the Reds to consecutive league titles – with Beard named WSL manager of the year on each occasion.

He crossed the Atlantic to manage Boston Breakers in 2016/17 before returning to his homeland to take the West Ham job, leading the Hammers to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup final in 2019.

An interim spell with Bristol City in 2021 preceded his return to Liverpool and he led them back to the top tier in his first season, the side putting together a 20-game unbeaten run in the process, before establishing them there.

He heads into the new campaign with a win rate just shy of 50 per cent in his second spell on Merseyside.