Former Inter Miami manager Phil Neville is poised to make a return to MLS, after talks with the Portland Timbers to take their vacant head coaching role reached an advanced stage, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Athletic was the first to report the news.
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If the deal to bring Neville on board is completed, he’ll replace Gio Savarese, who was fired on Aug. 21.
The Timbers were managed on an interim basis by Miles Joseph for the rest of the season, a period in which they went 5-2-2, and narrowly failed to qualify for the postseason.
Sources confirmed that Neville was in the running for other MLS managerial vacancies.
Neville, 46, was hired by Miami in 2021 with the backing of former club teammate and Miami co-owner David Beckham. After two-and-a-half seasons in charge, Neville was fired by Miami earlier this year with the team bottom of the Eastern Conference, with a record of 5-10-0.
