After parting ways with Gio Savarese in August, the Portland Timbers have reportedly found their next head coach. The Timbers are in advanced talks with former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville, according to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, and he’s the frontrunner for the job.
While no official agreement has been reached, it is believed that both parties are motivated to iron out the minor details and bring the negotiations to a close.
If Neville accepts the position, he will be joined by Jason Kreis, his Miami assistant. Miles Joseph, who served as Timber’s interim head coach after Savarese’s departure, should be on his coaching staff as well.
Between 2017 and 2021, the Timbers made five consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearances under Savarese. They reached the finals twice but finished runners-up both times. However, Portland has struggled to stay competitive over the last two seasons, prompting ownership to change coaches.
Phil Neville began coaching England’s Under-21s in 2012, after a successful playing career with Manchester United and Everton. He later worked as a member of Davis Moyes’ coaching staff at Manchester United and as an assistant coach at La Liga club Valencia before being named head coach of England’s women’s national team.
Neville spent three years with England Women, leading the team to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and winning the SheBelieves Cup. He resigned from his position in 2021 to work for Inter Miami.
Neville struggled to meet high expectations in Miami. In his second season as head coach, he made the playoffs but did not advance past the first round. He was fired in June after a disastrous start to the 2023 season that saw Inter finish last in the Eastern Conference.
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