Inter Miami welcome Phil Neville as their new head coach
After weeks of negotiations, Inter Miami and Phil Neville have reached a deal that sees him become head coach ahead of the 2021 Major League Soccer season.
On Monday, Inter Miami announced that Phil Neville will coach the team in their second season and Chris Henderson will act as chief soccer officer and sporting director. Neville will replace Diego Alonso who didn’t meet the expectations in their debut season ending in 10th place of the Eastern Conference during the regular season and losing to Nashville FC in the first round of playoffs.
“I am very happy with the leadership group we have established to lead the team as we turn the page following our inaugural season and look forward to having Chris and Phil join us soon," co-owner David Beckham said in a club statement.
"I have known Phil since we were both teenagers at the Manchester United Academy. We share a footballing DNA, having been trained by some of the best leaders in the game, and it’s those values that I have always wanted running through our club."
Before taking the Inter Miami job, Neville was the head coach of the England women’s national team. That was his first experience as a head coach and previously he was an assistant with England’s U-21 national team, Manchester United and Valencia.
“I am incredibly delighted for this opportunity to coach Inter Miami and to work with Chris and the entire ownership group," Neville said in a club statement. "This is a very young club with a lot of promise and upside, and I am committed to challenging myself, my players and everyone around me to grow and build a competitive soccer culture we can all be proud of. This fantastic soccer-loving market deserves consistent performances and a winning mentality, and I look forward to getting to work.”