Phil Neville set for return to management after being axed by David Beckham
Phil Neville is closing in on becoming the new head coach of MLS side Portland Timbers. The appointment will be the former Manchester United player's first managerial role since being relieved of his duties as Inter Miami manager back in June.
The 46-year-old was sacked during a difficult season for the MLS side, with the club sat bottom of the Eastern Conference table at the time. The decision from his former teammate and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham ended Neville's two-year tenure with the team.
He before briefly joined John Herdman's backroom staff with the Canadian national team - helping them to the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final and the quarter-finals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. But now he's in line for a permanent return to senior management in America.
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Neville is in advanced talks to join Portland, according to The Athletic, although neither side is yet to agree on final details. The Bury-born player-turned-coach will take over the duties of Gio Savarese who was released this summer after joining the side in 2017 following a five-and-a-half year spell.
The position is set to be Neville's third role as a manager having coached the England Women's national team and Inter Miami. During his three-year stint at England, the six-time Premier League winner with Manchester United guided the team to a fourth-placed finish at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.
Neville was sacked by Inter Miami after two-and-a-half years in charge (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The team were knocked out in the semi-finals by the United States Women's national team in a 2-1 defeat. The USWNT would go on to win the tournament by defeating the Netherlands in the final 2-0. Neville stepped down from the role in 2021 amid links to the Inter Miami job.
Neville was named as the Inter Miami head coach shortly after where he would work alongside former England and Manchester United teammate turned Miami co-owner, David Beckham. Neville would go on to lead the team to 36 wins, 11 draws and 43 defeats before being released following a 1-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls - the team's fourth consecutive loss.
His time in charge saw Miami finish 11th in the Eastern Conference in his first season, and guiding the team to the first round of the play-offs the next season before being knocked out by New York City.
"Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach," Beckham said in a statement after his sacking. "Sometimes in this game we have to make the toughest decisions and sadly we feel the time is right to make a change. I want to personally thank Phil for his hard work, his passion for our club and for his integrity as a person."
Neville responded by thanking the club, adding: "I would like to thank the ownership group for their trust and making me a part of this project, the players and staff for their impressive commitment, dedication and hard work and the fans for their unwavering support for the club since day one. I'm grateful to have played a part in the growth of this club and wish Inter Miami CF all the best in the future."
Portland are currently being managed by interim head coach Miles Joseph. The team are awaiting the start of the new season having failed to secured a place in the playoffs following a tenth place finish in the Western Conference.
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