Liverpool’s Matt Beard has been officially voted as the 2023-24 Barclays Women’s Super League Manager of the Season.
A stalwart of women’s football in England, Beard led Liverpool – only in their second year back in the top-flight – to a fourth-place finish in the Barclays WSL table, winning 12 games, drawing five and losing just five all season long.
Securing away victories over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village, the Reds also ran out winners over eventual title winners Chelsea in a 4-3 thriller at Prenton Park in May.
Reflecting on his success, Beard said: “I’m really grateful to win this award, and of course want to thank my staff and players for everything they have done this season.
“I’d like to congratulate Emma [Hayes] and Gareth [Taylor] on their own seasons with their respective clubs.
“I’m really appreciative to everyone who voted – it means so much to me.”
And Crystal Palace’s Laura Kaminski has been named 2023-24 Barclays Women’s Championship Manager of the Season by the League Managers’ Association.
Having joined the Eagles from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2023, Kaminski led the club to the Women’s Championship title and with it, promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League, in her first season in charge.
She was also named Manager of the Month on two occasions throughout the campaign.
Winning 14 of their 22 games – the most of any side in the division – and losing just four times, Palace also had the league’s Golden Boot winner in their ranks in the form of Elise Hughes who scored 16 goals in 21 appearances, alongside Goal of the Season winner in loanee Araya Dennis.
Securing the title on the final day of the season courtesy of a goalless draw with Sunderland in front of a club-record crowd at Selhurst Park, Kaminski was honoured at the annual LMA awards ceremony for her success.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has officially secured the Barclays Women’s Super League Golden Boot for the 2023-24 campaign.
Averaging a goal every 66 minutes in the Barclays WSL – a rate of 1.36 goals per match – Shaw also became Manchester City Women’s record goalscorer in March when scoring against rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
The forward also notched three hat-tricks in four appearances between November and January against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Liverpool.
Claiming the Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Season accolade prior to the conclusion of the campaign alongside the FWA Footballer of the Year award, the striker has made it a treble of trophies with the Golden Boot
