23 January 2024 , 21:40
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Inter Miami defender Harvey Neville could join Portland Timbers this season after his father, Phil, became head coach last year.
Phil Neville was sacked by Miami on June 1, 2023, and replaced by Argentine Gerardo Martino just before Lionel Messi joined the Major League Soccer franchise. Harvey Neville made just one appearance off the bench under the new coach, and his pathway to the first team has been made much harder after they signed former Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba.
Neville is currently on trial with the Timbers in preseason but is still contracted with Miami until the end of the 2024 season. The Timbers would have to negotiate a transfer with Miami if he is to play for them this year, with the MLS season starting on February 21.
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The son of the former Manchester United and England defender has been coached by his father throughout his career, joining the Valencia academy in 2015 when Phil was assistant coach. His uncle, Gary Neville, soon took charge as head coach but was sacked after a poor run of results with the Spanish side.
After Phil Neville left Valencia and became England women's manager, Harvey joined the United youth setup before once again linking up with his father at Inter Miami. Neville was sent to the reserve affiliate of Miami in the USL League One, and made 42 appearances for Fort Lauderdale CF.
The right-back has since made 11 first team appearances for Miami, but was sent on loan to play for USL Championship side Loudoun United FC on August 24, 2023. Loudoun is an affiliate team of D.C. United, who were managed by Wayne Rooney at the time Neville joined.
Wayne Rooney helped out with Harvey Neville's situation last season With Neville's future unclear, especially with Miami strengthening and Martino clearly not impressed with the English right-back, he again will turn to his father for assistance. There are no guarantees that the Timbers will sign Neville, making for a particularly awkward situation down the line.
Neville recorded two assists on loan with Loudoun, but has failed to secure an attacking return at senior level. Unlike Neville's father and uncle, who played for England, he has opted to represent the Republic of Ireland at youth level due to links through his maternal grandmother.
In October 2019 he was named in the Ireland U19 squad for the first time and made his debut later that month against Denmark. They lost that game 2-0, and Neville is yet to make another international appearance at any level.
Phil Neville was hired as Portland's new coach on November 6, 2023, signing a contract that runs until the end of the 2026 season. Neville is keen to prove himself after not being able to continue his Miami project.