West Ham United is delighted to confirm that women’s head coach Matt Beard has signed a contract extension with the club.
Having joined West Ham United last summer for the team’s very first season in the FA Women’s Super League, Beard has guided the Hammers to a successful debut campaign, including a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The WSL-winning coach, who has previously worked with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, will continue to lead the Irons into the 2019/20 season.
This is the happiest I have been in football for a long, long time. I’ve been really impressed with the Club since I’ve been here.
Matt Beard
“I’m delighted to sign this new deal with West Ham United,” Beard said: “This is the happiest I have been in football for a long, long time.
“I’ve been really impressed with the Club since I’ve been here. We have made some great strides as a team and the most pleasing thing, for me, is that I get the opportunity to progress the work we’ve put in this year, and see where we can take the project.
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“The support I’ve had has been fantastic – something I’m very grateful for - from [managing director] Jack Sullivan and [general manager] Russ Fraser, to the main board of directors and all of the backroom staff at the Club. A lot of hard work has gone into our first year and to be able to develop that and take it forward is very exciting.”
General manager Russ Fraser is thrilled that Beard has committed his future to West Ham, with preparations already in place for how to take the team even further in 2019/20.
“We have been working and preparing for the new season over the last couple of months on the basis that Matt would be staying with us,” Fraser said. “I’m really happy that everything is signed and official, and we will continue to work tirelessly together to prepare for the next campaign.
“We have a great squad here, and a fantastic group of coaches led by Matt. Now we want to keep building that together.”
