Phil Neville has an unusual resume as a manager. Caretaker manager at Salford City, a club he co-owns with his brother David Beckham and the other members of the Manchester United Class of ’92. Dan, England Women’s manager.
A strange phase for the already forgotten Lionesses and Inter Miami. The club his friend Beckham built.
The two former United players were forced to have the awkward conversation neither wanted, but both knew it was necessary, as the Herons suffered their fourth successive MLS defeat on Wednesday.
The loss left the club rooted at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a torrid record of five wins and 10 losses from fifteen league outings. In any case, there is no degradation.
As easy as it would be to place all the blame on Neville’s feet, Beckham deserves a healthy dose of blame too. When he chose to appoint his former team-mate in 2021, he faced a flurry of criticism with some calling the decision a blatant example of favouritism.
Phil Neville took over from Diego Alonso at Inter Miami at the start of the 2021 season
Miami co-owner David Beckham parted ways with his former teammate after a dismal run of form
Miami fans expressed their anger at Neville when they lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday
“I have a long history with Phil, on the field off the field.” Beckham told reporters. “I know what he’s like as a personality, I know what he’s like as a coach.
And I know what he’s like as a person. He is reliable, he is loyal and he works hard.
“I think bringing that into our club, not just working with our first semester, but also working with the academy, the USL guys, our staff and everyone within this club.
“Because we have to indent a DNA that runs through this club, that’s why we took the steps and decisions we made.”
Unfortunately for Beckham, his experimental appointment went spectacularly wrong.
MLS’s then-joint newest franchise first took to the field on March 1, 2020. Less than a month later, the league was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It suffered greatly from a lack of entry tickets and the personal support needed to foster bonding with a new team, Miami’s record after their first five MLS matches; zero wins, five losses, three goals.
But under the tutelage of Mexican coach Diego Alonso, the side bounced back and finished their debut campaign in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and earned a spot in the play-in round of the playoffs.
A solid start to life for the young side. Beckham’s primary goal was to see the team succeed, but the man whose transfer to the LA Galaxy in 2007 sparked a wave of popularity in the United States wanted his club to do it in some way.
Neville steered the team to a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference last season
Beckham and Neville celebrate with League Cup trophy during their playing days at United
Neville’s son, Harvey, who has come through the club’s youth academy, sparked the wrath of supporters as they jeered his arrival after coming on as a substitute this week
Beckham’s arrival on American shores led to a change in the MLS rulebook. From then on, each team in the league would be allowed to register up to three players who are outside their salary cap.
The Designated Player Rule led to a frenzied spending spree by MLS clubs as Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka and a host of other big names came into play for American sides.
As owner, Beckham was keen to continue the trend he was starting and landed Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi from Juventus on free transfers midway through the season.
The following year, Ryan Shawcross and Kieran Gibbs were added, but Miami slipped back to finish 11th in Neville’s first season with the club.
Neville took advantage of the low management churn in American football and led the team through a successful 2022 campaign that resulted in a sixth-place finish and qualification to the first round of the playoffs.
Issues around the construction of their $1 billion stadium simmered in the background of the early run of the season, but Miami appeared to have taken a step forward, even being linked with a high-profile move for Lionel Messi.
Reports have suggested that Lionel Messi could move to Miami to secure the move to Barcelona
Those rumors have resurfaced, but could point to the club’s desperation to be associated with big names to build the brand. With the Argentine superstar leaving PSG, with the desire to return to Barcelona, L’Equipe suggest that Inter Miami could act as a mediator between player and club.
What the MLS outfit would gain from such a deal is anyone’s guess, it’s certainly hard to see how it would help their current situation.
Beckham’s comments after sacking Neville on Thursday were an interesting reflection of the words he chose when he appointed the ex-United man. “Phil has really contributed to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach,” he said.
“Sometimes in this game we have to make the hardest decisions and unfortunately we feel the time is right to make a change.”
This season, Miami won the opener, but then went on a six-game losing streak. The pressure on Neville increased.
Neville and Beckham are good friends and were groomsmen for friend and agent Dave Gardner
Did he also benefit from his close relationship with the owner? Was there more room for maneuver?
Not only were they part of United’s impressive Class of ’92, but they were also England teammates and groomsmen for friend and agent Dave Gardner.
Neville, who was furious with reporters last week after Miami supporters booed his son’s substitution on the field, said: “I want to thank the Inter Miami CF ownership group for their trust and for letting me be a part of it.” of this project.
‘The players and staff for their impressive effort, dedication and hard work; and the fans for their unwavering support for the club since day one.
“I am grateful to have played a part in the growth of this club and I wish Inter Miami CF all the best in the future.”
Neville’s assistant Javier Morales will take on the role of interim head coach for Saturday’s home game against D.C. United, suitably coached by another United old boy: Wayne Rooney.
It would have been a fairy tale if the good friends with Miami had achieved success in the MLS
Beckham has fought so hard to establish a franchise in Miami and will not think twice about shying away from this huge project. Not only have the omens been good for MLS expansion teams in recent years, but there is also a blueprint for following suit.
The last three MLS Cup winners, LAFC, New York City and Atlanta United, were all formed within five years of the Herons.
With a playoff system used to crown a winner and no threat of relegation, Miami could haphazardly find their way to the title in the near future.
But Beckham won’t share it with his close friend, as they hoped.