Phil Neville announced as new head coach of the Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers announced Phil Neville as the new head coach, signing him to a two year contract through the 2026 Major League Soccer season. He replaces interim manager Miles Joseph, who took over the post for the remainder of the 2023 Major League Soccer season following the dismissal of Giovanni Savarese. 

“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.”

He will join the team ahead of the 2024 campaign, after a disappointing 2023 season saw the Timbers conclude in 10th place with 43 points to narrowly miss out on the playoffs. 

Neville knows the league well, after leading Inter Miami from 2021 to 2023. He managed an 36W-43L-11D overall record across all competitions, reaching the playoffs just one time in 2022.

But the Eastern Conference team parted ways with Neville in June, after a string of negative results saw the club fall to last place on the Eastern Conference table. The news came directly after the Herons fell 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night at DRV PNK Stadium, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in MLS.

Following his stint with the Herons, Neville formed part of the Canadian men's national team coaching staff under John Herdman. He also led the English women’s national team from 2018 to 2021, where he was heavily criticized for a lack of results. 

Timbers supporters groups made their feelings about his pending appointment known, releasing a statement that highlighted disappointment for “settling on a finalist for head coach who has a history of sexist public statements.” Fans referenced Neville’s previous tweets that suggested women would be too "busy making breakfast/getting kids ready" to read his messages, among others. 

"The Portland Timbers are currently rebuilding a team on the pitch in addition to their ongoing efforts to rebuild trust with their fans and the community," said the group in a statement.

"We are deeply disappointed that the club has reportedly settled on a finalist for head coach who has a history of sexist public statements that run counter to our ethos as a club, city and supporters' group, and who also lacks a proven track record as a manager. We urge the Timbers to reconsider this hire and re-evaluate other candidates before finalizing a contract."

Despite the backlash, the team is expected to make an announcement soon.