Phil Neville has shared a candid behind-the-scenes look at his departure from Inter Miami, revealing it was “actually harder for David than it was for me”.
Neville became the coach of Inter Miami, which is part-owned by his pal David Beckham, in January 2021 but found himself ousted from the role with the team languishing at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference after more than two years.
Gary Neville, Phil’s sibling, openly expressed his apprehension on The Overlap US podcast, saying to his brother: “Phil, I was nervous when you took the Inter Miami job. I obviously knew at some point the likelihood would be that our best friend, David Beckham, would have to come and have a conversation with you about a change. I was worried because it’s inevitable.”
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“Football management is temporary, we know at some point you’re going to be moved on. That was my reason for being nervous when you took that job. Did you think about that at the beginning or did you just see it as an unbelievable opportunity?”
In a thoughtful response, Phil acknowledged the duality of the situation, confessing: “[It was] both, really. The big thing is that you’re not just losing a football game but you feel like you’re letting a friend down as well. Becks is really strong, he doesn’t buckle and he’s really loyal to the people he’s close to.”
“I also had faith he would give me time, which he did. We didn’t do well in the first season but there were many challenges at the club in terms of what was going on. The second season they gave me the platform to build my own team, I got rid of 19 players in the off-season and then we got into the playoffs.
Phil Neville was sacked by Inter Miami (
Getty Images)
“I knew the end was coming well before the time, it was pretty obvious to everyone in and around the football club. We had to have some difficult conversations along the way but they were always pretty honest and frank.
“I would start every conversation with, ‘David, if this is the time just tell me, we will shake hands and move on.’ I probably did well to survive for as long as I did but I’m forever grateful for what they gave me. Also I left in a way that helped me get my next job in the MLS. So me and David have been fine.”
Recounting the moment he was let go, he shared how challenging it was for both parties involved: “The day I actually got fired was probably actually harder for David than it was for me. He really didn’t want to do it, he was really emotional. I was emotional too but I knew it was coming so it was probably easier for me.”
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