The Portland Timbers hired Phil Neville as their head coach, the team announced Monday.
Neville was previously the manager of Inter Miami, going 31-41-11 across two-and-a-half seasons before being let go in June. Portland parted ways with longtime coach Gio Savarese this summer. Portland is in talks to potentially bring Jason Kreis with Neville as an assistant. The club is also in talks to retain Miles Joseph on the staff as well. Joseph served as interim coach following Savarese’s departure and was among the finalists to be named head coach.
A new era in Portland.
Phil Neville is #RCTID 👏
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) November 6, 2023
Neville was hired by Miami, where his former England teammate David Beckham is a co-owner, in January 2021 and led the club to the playoffs in 2022. He previously managed the England women’s national team as well. He was a candidate for several other MLS clubs’ head-coaching vacancies this year, including the New England Revolution’s.
After firing Savarese, the Timbers narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing just one point below the line. Portland went 5-2-2 under Joseph, including a run of seven consecutive games unbeaten before falling in the season finale and missing out on the postseason. The club is headed for an overhaul this…
