The soccer ties between Boston and Liverpool are growing stronger, thanks to the stateside arrival of Matt Beard.
The Boston Breakers named Beard as their new head coach Tuesday. He will join the local National Women’s Soccer League club from Liverpool Ladies FC at the end of the 2015 Women’s Super League (English first division) season.
“I am excited at the prospect of challenging myself abroad in a league as competitive as the NWSL with the Boston Breakers,” Beard said, according to a Breakers statement. “Me and my family are looking forward to moving to a great city, and I cannot wait to get started.”
Beard led Liverpool Ladies to back-to-back WSL titles in the 2013 and 2014 and their first-ever appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Beard previously coached the women’s teams at Charlton Athletic, Milwall and Chelsea.
Beard told Liverpool’s website the allure of a new challenge is the driving force behind his move to Boston.
“The decision to leave Liverpool Ladies is one that I have thought a great deal about and was a really tough decision to make,” Beard said, according to LiverpoolFC.com. “However, having enjoyed three fantastic years here and having spent 11 years working in the top flight of women’s football in England, I feel like I need a new challenge and I feel I have taken the club as far as I can.”
Beard will replace Tom Durkin at the Breakers’ helm. The Breakers finished last in the nine-team league this season under Durkin. They also missed the playoffs in previous NWSL campaigns under Durkin, Cat Whitehill and Lisa Cole.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@LFC
