The Portland Timbers have spurned followers by saying the rent of Phil Neville as supervisor for the 2024 season. Protests by membership supporters – together with the ‘Timbers Military’ – fell on deaf ears as Portland moved to safe the Englishman having let go of Giovanni Savarese in the course of final season.
The appointment is Neville’s third function in administration following his three-year spell answerable for the England ladies’s crew and two years with Inter Miami. In a press release confirming the transfer, Timbers normal supervisor Ned Grabavoy stated: “We’re thrilled to welcome Phil Neville as the brand new head coach of the Portland Timbers, and we stay up for making Phil and his household really feel at house in Portland.
“Phil’s character makes him the fitting particular person to guide this crew ahead as we proceed to reshape the group with a objective of returning to sustained success. His management qualities, numerous expertise as a coach, and ambition to evolve made him a terrific match right here with us in Portland.”
Nonetheless, the appointment of Neville – who was let go by Inter Miami after beginning the 2023 season with 5 wins and 10 losses – can be met with bemusement from Portland followers. A scathing assertion issued by the Timbers Military Steering Committee referenced sexist feedback posted by Neville on his social media in 2012.
“The Portland Timbers are at the moment rebuilding a crew on the pitch along with their ongoing efforts to rebuild belief with their followers and the neighborhood,” the assertion learn. “We’re deeply dissatisfied that the membership has reportedly settled on a finalist for head coach who has a historical past of sexist public statements that run counter to our ethos as a membership, metropolis and supporters’ group, and who additionally lacks a confirmed monitor report as a supervisor.
“We urge the Timbers to rethink this rent and reevaluate different candidates earlier than finalising a contract.”
Neville has since apologised for his feedback, however they linger over his head amid a tense arrival at his new membership. The 46-year-old, who received 35 of 90 video games answerable for Inter Miami, is able to become familiar with the Timbers as they chase a primary MLS title since 2015.
“I’m massively excited concerning the problem forward, and from the very first second I met the employees I knew it was the fitting alternative for me, the fitting membership for me and the fitting metropolis for me,” Neville stated. “The followers are a very powerful a part of this soccer membership with their depth and help, and I feel this journey goes to be one thing particular.
“I’ve nice reminiscences visiting Portland, which jogs my memory of Manchester, my hometown, and I can’t look forward to my household to get to know this stunning metropolis.”
After departing Miami, Neville joined the Canadian nationwide crew underneath John Herman, serving to the crew attain the quarter-finals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League closing. Canada completed runners-up within the Nations League after falling 2-Zero to america.
In the meantime, Portland has missed the playoffs in every of the final two seasons – ending 10th within the Western Convention in 2023. These consecutive seasons with out playoff soccer come after Portland misplaced the 2021 MLS Cup Closing to New York Metropolis FC at house through a penalty shootout.