Phil Neville didn’t have to wait long to find himself a new head coaching gig.
The Portland Timbers hired Neville as their new head coach, the club announced Monday. Neville signed a three-year contract with Portland, becoming the fourth head coach in the club’s history.
The 46-year-old Neville most recently served as head coach of Inter Miami from 2021-23. Neville helped the Herons reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022 after registering a 14-14-6 record In 2022, which is still the team’s best-ever finish to date in club history.
Neville also served as an assistant coach with the Canadian men’s national team during the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Final Four and Concacaf Gold Cup following his departure from Inter Miami.
“I am massively excited about the challenge ahead, and from the very first moment I met the staff I knew it was the right opportunity for me, the right club for me and the right city for me,” said Neville. “The fans are the most important part of this football club with their intensity and support, and I think this journey is going to be something special. I have great memories visiting Portland, which reminds me of Manchester, my hometown, and I can’t wait for my family to get to know this beautiful city.”
Prior to making the move to MLS, Neville was manager of the England women’s national team from January 2018 to January 2021. He led the Lionesses to the 2019 SheBelieves Cup as well as an undefeated 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualification run before a fourth-place finish in France.
He won 19 of his 35 matches in charge of the Lionesses across all competitions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Phil Neville as the new head coach of the Portland Timbers, and we look forward to making Phil and his family feel at home in Portland,” said general manager Ned Grabavoy. “Phil’s character makes him the right person to lead this team forward as we continue to reshape the group with a goal of returning to sustained success. His leadership qualities, diverse experience as a coach, and ambition to evolve made him a terrific fit here with us in Portland.”
A former 19-year player, Neville excelled for both Manchester United and Everton during his professional career. He lifted 14 trophies as a player, including six English Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and three FA Cups.
He also earned 59 caps for the English national team.
The Timbers failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs this year, finishing 10th in the Western Conference and one point out of the final Wild Card spot.