The Portland Timbers are reportedly in advanced talks to hire Phil Neville as their new head coach, according to multiple sources familiar with the decision. While the deal has not been finalized or signed yet, it is expected that Neville will be named as the coach of the Timbers.
Neville previously served as the manager of Inter Miami, where he had a record of 31-41-11 over two-and-a-half seasons before being let go in June. The Timbers recently parted ways with their long-time coach Gio Savarese, creating an opening for Neville to step in. In addition to Neville, the Timbers are also in talks to potentially bring Jason Kreis on board as an assistant coach. The club is also looking to retain Miles Joseph on the staff, who served as interim coach following Savarese’s departure.
Before his stint with Inter Miami, Neville managed the England women’s national team. He was also a candidate for several other MLS clubs’ head-coaching vacancies this year, including the New England Revolution’s. Neville’s hiring by Miami was notable because his former England teammate David Beckham is a co-owner of the club.
The Timbers made a coaching change after firing Savarese and narrowly missed out on the playoffs, finishing just one point below the line. Under Joseph’s interim leadership, the team went 5-2-2, including a run of seven consecutive games unbeaten. However, they fell short in the season finale and failed to secure a postseason spot. With several key players expected to depart in the offseason, the Timbers are preparing for an overhaul and will likely open up two designated player spots to build around their club-record signing, Evander.
Other candidates who made it to the final round of the coaching search included Joseph, Robin Fraser, Dome Torrent, Ezra Hendrickson, and others. Moving forward, Evander, Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson, Santi Moreno, and Juan David Mosquera will form the core of the Timbers’ roster, with more big signings expected to come.
During Neville’s tenure with Miami, the team faced numerous injuries to key players, including captain and designated player Gregore and starter Jean Mota. The club also had to manage salary-cap and roster restrictions in preparation for a big summer transfer window that saw the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and three talented U-22 initiative players.
Neville faced challenges early on in his role with Miami as the team had to navigate a roster rebuild due to sanctions and budget restrictions. In 2020, Major League Soccer found that Inter Miami had violated the league’s salary budget and roster guidelines. As a result, the club was fined $2 million and had a reduction in allocation funds for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Before his coaching career, Neville had a successful playing career, appearing in over 500 Premier League games for Manchester United and Everton. He won six league titles, one Champions League title, and three FA Cups. He also represented England in 59 international matches.
In conclusion, the Portland Timbers are on the verge of hiring Phil Neville as their new head coach. Neville brings a wealth of experience from his previous coaching roles and his successful playing career. With an upcoming roster overhaul and the potential for big signings, the Timbers are looking to make a fresh start under Neville’s leadership.
