Arsenal Women head coach Renée Slegers said she felt Matt Beard’s “warmth as a person” after the former Chelsea, Liverpool and Burnley Women head coach passed away on Saturday aged 47.

“It's such sad news,” Slegers reflected after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw away to Manchester United. “I guess everyone was really shocked by the news and I feel very, very sorry for his closest family and loved ones.”

Arsenal’s summer signings Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith both played under Beard at Liverpool, and enjoyed strong relationships with the popular figure. “We spoke to Liv and Taylor as they were really close with Matt,” Slegers said.

“So we tried to support them as much as we can, and I think we had a good support system around as a club- staff members, players have been very supportive. 

“We gave them the option to choose what they wanted to do today, of course the Liverpool game was postponed. Our game was on and it was up to them. And so this was their decision and this is what they wanted to do. But it's very hard and we're all very sad.”

Slegers praised the strength and professionalism of Hinds and Smith given the circumstances: “They both said that Matt would have wanted them to play, and they went out and they did. There was a lot of emotion, I think. The one minute silence moment, it was really hard for them. 

“It shows a lot of strength, them showing up today for the team. They weren't pressed into any of that, but they wanted to do that. So a lot of strength from them.”

Former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall revealed that Beard was the only manager in the Women’s Super League who would invite his opposition counterpart for a post-match drink, and Slegers reflected on her relationship with him. “Very warm, post-game we interact with him and I just felt his warmth as a person. 

“The last game away at [Liverpool’s] ground, we just had a really good nice little chat, him and me. The year before when Jonas was still head coach, he invited us and all of our coaches into his space, into his office. And we sat down, he was really, really nice. He had his staff there as well. We don't all do that, but he did that. Very special moments, very sad news.”