Fans of Major League Soccer team the Portland Timbers have blasted the club amid attempts to make former Manchester United and Everton star Phil Neville their new head coach.
Neville, 46, was sacked by Inter Miami in June ahead of Lionel Messi's arrival, but he is set to be back in work in the United States soon. The former England international is in advanced talks to take charge at Providence Park.
But the club's fans have made their feelings clear ahead of Neville's expected appointment, citing his poor coaching record as well as social media comments he made 12 years ago. In 2012, he tweeted that women would be too "busy making breakfast/getting kids ready" to see his posts on the platform.
Neville apologised for the messages, which were criticised in 2018 shortly after he was named manager of the England women's team. But the Timbers Army supporters' club has expressed its anger as the club negotiates the finer details of a deal with Neville.
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"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," a statement from the group read.
"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 reevaluate other candidates before finalising a contract."
The Timbers Army does not want Phil Neville to be the club's next head coach. (Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)Neville enjoyed a fine career as a player, making more than 500 Premier League appearances and winning 59 England caps. He also picked up six Premier League winner's medals as well as the Champions League in 1999.
But his career in management has been a more chastening experience. With the England women's team, he won just 54 per cent of his 35 games in charge – a record that pales in comparison to his successor, Sarina Weigman.
At Inter Miami, he overcame a poor start to lead the club to the MLS Playoffs for the first time in its history before being eliminated in the first round.
However, the 2023 campaign started in miserable fashion for Neville and the team and by the time he was sacked by former United teammate and Miami owner David Beckham in June, they had the worst record in MLS.
Neville's departure was almost immediately followed by the arrival of Barcelona and Argentina icon Messi, as well as ex-Barca teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The club's fortunes have been transformed since, winning the Leagues Cup – the first piece of silverware in club history.
Soon after, Neville joined John Herdman's coaching staff at the Canada men's national team for the CONCACAF Nations League final and the Gold Cup. But Neville is on course to be back in management soon, although it remains to be seen if the online protests from Timbers fans will change the club's mind.
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