Phil Neville is no longer head coach of the Portland Timbers after the club announced a mutual parting of ways. The decision comes after a disappointing season that saw the team languish in 13th place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, far from playoff contention.
Mutual decision after poor run
Neville's final match in charge was a 3-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, which sealed the Timbers' lowly position. The club had made the playoffs in Neville's first two seasons, losing in the opening round in 2024 and the first round in 2025. However, this season's results fell short of expectations.
In a statement, Timbers owner Merritt Paulson praised Neville's leadership and positivity. “In my nearly two decades of owning and operating the Portland Timbers, there are very few people I have enjoyed working with more than Phil Neville,” Paulson said. “Phil has outstanding leadership qualities and a boundless sense of positivity even in the face of adversity. I cannot thank Phil enough for his tireless dedication to this club and the Portland community, which he and his family truly embraced.”
Neville's gratitude and reflection
Neville expressed thanks to the club, staff, players, and fans. “I’d like to thank Merritt Paulson, Ned Grabavoy, and the entire Portland family for their unwavering support in giving me the job and standing behind me,” he said. “To my staff, thank you for your incredible loyalty and hard work. And to the most incredible bunch of players: thank you for the effort, the good times, the good results, the bad results, and all the laughs we shared together. I realize we are in a results business, and the results haven’t been to the expectation of this football club. To the Timbers Army – you are the reason I felt inspired to try and bring success to this club. Keep getting behind the players and the club in this wonderful city. I will miss you all.”
Coaching career highlights
Portland was Neville's second MLS head coaching job. He previously managed Inter Miami from 2021 to 2023, leaving shortly before Lionel Messi's arrival transformed the club into title contenders. Neville also coached the England women's national team, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. His departure marks the end of a tenure that showed early promise but ultimately could not sustain success.
