Matt Beard: Family calls for mandatory manager mental health checks after death


Matt’s family say he often struggled to emotionally switch off from football, and that negative comments on social media had begun to have an impact on his mental health.

He found breaking bad news to players about their place in the squad or future plans particularly difficult emotionally, according to Debbie.

“Matt always felt so bad having to let someone down,” she explains. “There would be tears, they might have shouted at him, and the player’s family and the fans could sometimes be negative towards him too.

“He and other staff members would make the decisions but, because he had to deliver the news, the emotional burden all came down on to him.

“Matt was there for everybody and he hated letting people down. He looked out for everyone else, but sadly not himself.”

In the summer leading up to his death, Matt had been appointed manager of Burnley in the third tier.

But Matt’s family say he wasn’t happy with the way the club was being run. WSL side Leicester City made it known they were interested in hiring Matt.

BBC Sport understands Burnley turned down an offer from Leicester to buy out the rest of Matt’s contract. Matt then resigned, but the move to Leicester never came to pass.

Burnley placed Matt on gardening leave, meaning he was unable to work or talk to other clubs for a period of three months.

Burnley declined a request to comment from BBC Sport on the nature of Matt’s departure from the club.

In a pre-inquest review hearing last week, Debbie alleged that Burnley “bullied” Matt. The inquest was adjourned indefinitely.

Burnley said they were “aware of an ongoing legal process and will not be making any comment at this time”.

Debbie believes the time Matt was unable to work contributed to a deterioration in his mental state.

“He wasn’t allowed to say goodbye to his players or tell them why he left,” Debbie says. “That had a huge impact on him.

“He was finding it hard, [worrying about] how he would provide for the family. I was working three jobs just to get us through.

“I think he felt like a bit of a failure.”



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Pistons hosed by controversial no-call, but can only blame themselves for collapse vs. Cavs

    It’s easy to consider a single call, or non-call, as the defining point in a close game. The Detroit Pistons probably feel that way after their stunning 117-113 overtime loss…

    Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise named Best French Player Abroad, beating Kylian Mbappé

    Michael Olise lit up Europe this season. The 24-year-old Frenchman’s insanely high output for Bayern Munich, combined with his technical abilities, has earned him the distinction of being named the…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Pistons hosed by controversial no-call, but can only blame themselves for collapse vs. Cavs

    Pistons hosed by controversial no-call, but can only blame themselves for collapse vs. Cavs

    Editors Kept These 14 Beauty Products During Spring Cleaning

    Editors Kept These 14 Beauty Products During Spring Cleaning

    Trump praises China as he ignores question about Taiwan | Al Jazeera

    Trump praises China as he ignores question about Taiwan | Al Jazeera

    Poll suggests politics, geography and trust play roles in vaccine hesitancy

    Poll suggests politics, geography and trust play roles in vaccine hesitancy

    Space Stock Craze Comes to Europe as One UK Fund Quadruples

    Space Stock Craze Comes to Europe as One UK Fund Quadruples

    These refugees in Kenya were promised jobs in Canada. At the 11th hour, the employer cancelled the offer

    These refugees in Kenya were promised jobs in Canada. At the 11th hour, the employer cancelled the offer