David Beckham found himself in an uncomfortable position as he was forced to fire someone he has called a close friend for over 30 years.
That was always a risk when the England legend decided to appoint his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville as manager of the football club he owns in America.
Neville, who was part of United’s celebrated Class of ’92 along with Beckham, left his role with the England women’s team to take over Beckham’s Inter Miami in January 2021.
The club endured a disappointing first season under Neville but impressed in 2022 when they reached the MLS Cup play-offs.
Neville’s side failed to build on that platform last year and the manager paid the price in June 2023, when Beckham decided to sack his close friend following a run of 10 defeats in 13 games.
Phil Neville’s brother Gary, who was the best man when Beckham married Victoria in 1999, admits he was ‘nervous’ when his sibling took the job, knowing it could end in an awkward sacking.
‘Phil, I was nervous when you took the Inter Miami job,’ he admitted on an episode of The Overlap US.
‘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. 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?’
Phil Neville, who won a host of trophies at Manchester United alongside Beckham and his brother Gary, responded: ‘[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 too. I also had faith he would give me time, which he did.
‘We didn’t do well in the first season but there were a 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 play-offs.
‘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.’
Opening up on the moment he was sacked by Beckham, the ex-England international added: ‘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.’
Beckham thanked Neville for his hard word after pulling the plug on his former team-mate. Speaking at the time, he said: ‘Phil and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans.
‘Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach.’
Neville was appointed as manager of fellow MLS side Portland Timbers just a few months following his sacking at Inter Miami.
His team are currently eighth in the Western Conference, while Beckham’s Inter Miami are top of the Eastern standings under former Argentina player and manager Gerardo Martino.
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