Inter Miami CF have appointed Phil Neville as manager.
Sources told ESPN that Beckham began talks with his former Manchester United team-mate last week about the possibility of coaching Miami. Recently, the MLS team had fired Uruguayan Diego Alonso.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Neville had left his role as coach of the England women’s team.
“I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to coach Inter Miami and work with Chris [Henderson] and the whole group of owners, “Neville said.
“This is a very young club, with many promises and advantages and I am committed to challenging myself, my players and everyone around me to grow and build a competitive football culture that we can all be proud of. The football-loving market deserves consistent performances and a winning mentality and I look forward to getting to work, “added the retired English footballer.
In turn, Beckham explained what it means for him to have Neville as coach.
“I’m very happy with the leadership group we set up to lead the team as we turn the page after our inaugural season and I hope Chris and Phil will join us soon. I’ve known Phil since we were both teenagers at the academy. “We share the football DNA after being coached by some of the best leaders in the sport and the values we have always wanted to convey through our club,” said Beckham.
“Phil has a lot of experience in football, as a player and as a coach both at club and international level, and throughout his career he has worked with many of the best coaches and players in the sport. I know his qualities as a person, “His decency, loyalty and honesty, as well as his incredible energy and work ethic. Anyone who has played or worked with Phil knows he is a natural leader and I think it is the right time for him to join,” added the legendary footballer.
Miami finished 10th in its debut season in the MLS Eastern Conference in 2020, but sources said Beckham and his fellow investors are determined to see an improvement in performance in 2021.
Neville, co-owner of EFL League Two Salford City with Beckham, had coached England’s 2018 women’s national team. The former England international spent a season as United’s first team coach in the year with David Moyes. responsible in 2013-14 and also worked briefly in LaLiga with Valencia under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo and his brother, Gary, in the 2015-16 season.
Neville and Beckham went through United academy together and spent eight years as first-team teammates, winning six Premier League titles, an FA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a Champions League as part of Treble in 1999.
In 2013, a documentary called “Class 92” was released about the success of Beckham and Neville, along with Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs at United, who had left the youth team together.