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.”
