Beard targets more trophies
Matt Beard insists Liverpool Ladies will not rest on their laurels after winning their first ever Women's Super League title and has targeted more trophies for his team in future years.
After inheriting a team that finished bottom of the league in 2012, the manager totally changed the team and got the rewards as his side played some fantastic football to deservedly scoop the coveted title crown.
Besides winning the Super League, Liverpool Ladies also reached the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup and Continental Cup.
"The players deserve an enormous amount of credit for what they've done this season and I feel privileged to be part of it," said Beard.
"Now we want to build on this and ensure we keep improving. We'll go away and analyse where we need to strengthen the group.
"If you look at the women's game, with the increased media coverage, it's getting bigger and bigger year on year and the quality of football is getting better. When people come to watch our games they're pleasantly surprised.
"Our fan base is growing and it's refreshing to see how everyone associated with the club is proud of what's been achieved.
"To finish in the top half of the table would have been a good finish this season because the standard was high. That's been proven with Arsenal not finishing in the top two.
"It's going to be tough defending our title as the pressure will be on us from the word go but that's the challenge.
"The pleasing thing is that all the players apart from Whitney Engen are under contract for next season. Losing Whitney will be a big loss because she's a fantastic player but with the American national team paying a big part of her wage we knew the situation. With a World Cup year coming up they have to be playing in their domestic league.
"But we will recruit someone who is just as good to be part of this fantastic football club. We've come a long way but there are still things we can improve on as a set-up and we'll strive to do that before we get back into pre-season training in January."
Beard was also quick to express his gratitude to the support given to him and team by Liverpool Football Club and said the one-club mentality has been the key to their success.
He said: "It's not about the money because we have probably only got the third or fourth biggest budget in the league.
"What we've got is a competitive budget which enables us to compete and we recruited the right players.
"The big thing we've done is getting the environment right. The resources behind the scenes like being able to use the facilities at the Academy has been a lot more important than the money.
"The players have represented the football club fantastically well this year and it just shows what can be achieved when everyone works together.
"We've had great support from Ian Ayre and Brendan Rodgers. Brendan has always been there when I've needed him.
"I've tried not to pester him as obviously he's got a massive job himself but he has taken the time to get to know me.
"He allowed me the opportunity to watch the first team train and I learned so much. Brendan's man management skills are probably the best I've ever seen.
"He's really helped me with my development and this is an unbelievable club to work for. This is such a great city for football and my family and I love it up here."
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