Portland Timbers announce Phil Neville: tweets controversy, MLS record

Portland Timbers have confirmed the appointment of Phil Neville as head coach.

The former Manchester United and Everton player has had a varied managerial career, most notably spending two years in charge of Inter Miami. His spell in Florida ended in June and he was a part of Canada coach John Herdman’s backroom staff over the summer.

“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,” general manager Ned Grabavoy wrote in a statement.

“Phil’s character makes him the right person to lead this team forward as we continue to reshape the group with a 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.”

The Timbers had been without a permanent head coach since the departure of Giovanni Savarese in August. Miles Joseph had been leading the team on an interim basis since the summer.

Old Phil Neville tweets cause controversy

Neville’s appointment has been met with a mixed reception from Timbers supporters, some of whom are critical of historic social media posts made by the Englishman.

When Neville took over the England Women’s team a series of sexist tweets emerged.

After beginning a post with “Morning men!” he went on to claim that women would be busy with household chores at that that time. In another he wrote: “I’m back chilled – just battered the wife!!! Feel better now!”

He later claimed that the second tweet was referencing a table Tennis Game between the pair, but he acknowledged that he had made a mistake with the tweets.

The followed day he released a statement: “Following comments made a number of years ago I would like to clarify that they were not and are not a true and genuine reflection of either my character or beliefs and would like to apologise.”

Phil Neville’s MLS record with Inter Miami

Neville was appointed Inter Miami head coach in January 2021, joining up with former Manchester United teammate David Beckham. He took over the nascent team during a tumultuous time in Miami but underwhelmed from the start.

They began Neville’s tenure by winning just two of their first 12 MLS Games, the worst record in the league at that point. Miami finished Neville’s first season 11th in the Eastern Conference, missing out on the post-season.

The following season saw some improvement as Miami finished sixth to qualify for the playoffs. However their post-season journey did not last long and they were eliminated by New York City FC in Round One.

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The 2023 season began poorly for Inter Miami and Neville was dismissed in June with the team bottom of the Eastern Conference. Shortly after, the club announced the signing of Lionel Messi and their fortunes changed dramatically.

Neville’s time in Miami, his only previous MLS posting, ended with a win percentage of 38.9%. His side won 35 of his 90 Games in charge.

When Neville’s exit was announced, Miami co-owner David Beckham wrote: “Sometimes in this sport you have to make the toughest decisions and sadly we feel this is the right time to make a change.”