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Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has opened up on being sacked by one of his best friends, David Beckham, at Inter Miami CF.
The Floridian side were set up by United’s legendary number seven and played their first Major League Soccer game in March 2020.
In January 2021, Phil Neville was appointed manager of the club but by June 2023 he had been sacked as they sat bottom of the Eastern Conference.
It was unfortunate timing for Neville, as just four days later, Lionel Messi would join the club and begin an avalanche of change for the American side, as they now sit top of the Conference, eight points ahead of Cincinnati after 30 matches played.
In an episode of YouTube channel ‘It’s Called Soccer’ both Neville brothers appeared on the show and had their say on Phil’s sacking.
Gary commented, “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.”
He also went on to describe the “temporary” nature of football management and asked his brother whether he also had these feelings of nerves or if the opportunity was just too big to turn down.
Phil responded by stating, “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.”
The former United man claimed that he knew he would get time and he admitted that he did and pointed to the fact he got them into the playoffs in his second season in charge despite a host of problems to deal with.
Neville admitted that the writing was on the wall for him for some time before his sacking though as he claimed, “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.”
He interestingly revealed that the moment he was sacked was probably more difficult for his old friend and boss Beckham than it was for him.
“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.”
The former Everton captain said that there were no hard feelings between the two friends and that he was able to get his next job in the MLS more easily due to the way he left. He only has gratitude for being given the chance at the club.
Feature image Rich Storry via Getty Images
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