Phil Neville has been appointed as the manager of Major League Soccer team Portland Timbers after signing a multi-year contract through 2026.
He left the club before the summertime turnaround that was overseen by Tata Martino and headlined by Lionel Messi’s arrival.
The position for the managerial role at Portland was opened on August 21 when they parted ways with longtime coach Giovanni Savarese.
Savarese’s deputy Miles Joseph managed the rest of PTFC’s 2023 season as they narrowly missed making the Audi Cup Playoffs.
Ned Grabavoy, Portland’s general manager, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Phil Neville as the new head coach of the Portland Timbers, and we look forward to making Phil and his family feel at home in Portland.”
“Phil’s character makes him the right person to lead this team forward as we continue to reshape the group with the goal of returning to sustained success.”
“His leadership qualities, diverse experience as a coach, and ambition to evolve made him a terrific fit here with us in Portland.”
Phil Neville guided Miami to the 2022 playoffs, behind a one-two punch of famous Argentine attacker Gonzalo Higuan and former MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is Neville’s close friend from their Manchester United days, but that didn’t halt his dismissal.
Phil Neville, 46, is now tasked with rejuvenating the squad that hosted MLS Cup 2021 and have failed to qualify for back-to-back postseasons.
Speaking on his appointment, the Englishman said: “I am massively excited about the challenge ahead, and from the very first moment I met the staff I knew it was the right opportunity for me, the right club for me and the right city for me.”
“The fans are the most important part of this football club with their intensity and support, and I think this journey is going to be something special.”
“I have great memories visiting Portland, which reminds me of Manchester, my hometown, and I can’t wait for my family to get to know this beautiful city”.
Phil Neville
Philip John Neville is an English football manager and former player, who is the new head coach of MLS team Portland Timbers.
The Englishman was born on 21 January 1977 and he is also the co-owner of Salford City, along with several of his former Manchester United teammates.
Neville played for Manchester United for 10 years and after that, he joined Everton in 2005, where he spent the final eight years of his playing career.
With United, Neville won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three FA Charity Shields, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Champions League.
Neville also appeared for England 59 times between 1996 and 2007, representing the nation at three European Championships.
He was a versatile player as he could play in defense or midfield; due to this versatility, he operated in a number of different positions throughout his career, but was most often used as a full-back.
