PHIL’S FINALLY INTER MIAMI
Bottom of the MLS, but battling Neville says of Becks’ ‘baby’: We’re turning a corner now
Tonight, Sky Sports Main Ev, 11pm
PHIL NEVILLE loves a challenge – and that’s exactly what he’s got at Inter Miami.
It’s never easy for a Brit to manage abroad and the former Manchester United man has been fighting fires on and off the pitch.
A six-game losing run ended recently – coinciding with owner David Beckham returning to Miami after a spell at home – and Neville goes into tonight’s match against Nashville needing more wins to keep hopes of reaching the play-offs alive.
It’s been a rough start to the club’s second campaign – they lie bottom of the Eastern Conference with just three wins from 15 games.
Becks has witnessed a
revitalising victory and two draws from the last three, yet knows Neville’s squad badly needs new faces with Inter’s highest-paid stars Gonzalo Higuain, French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Mexican midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro all struggling to produce consistently.
Nevertheless, Neville, who worked in Valencia under Spurs chief Nuno Espirito Santo and then brother Gary, is enjoying his transition across the pond.
He said: “The big challenges on and off the field when working abroad are getting settled, finding a house and getting used to the different systems of how people live.
“It’s a change of culture, the way that you have to adapt your life has a big effect on how you have to adapt your working life too.
“And then you’ve got to adapt to a league, a league that works probably slightly differently with different types of financial and recruitment restraints. The travelling, climates and time zones here also need to be adapted to.
“The transition from going from England to Spain was far, far more difficult because of the language barrier.
“In the last three games I feel as if we’re turning a little bit of a corner, taking baby steps forward.”
But with MLS bosses hitting Beckham and Co with a massive fine and docking key transfer money for the next two years after the club were found guilty of financial irregularities following the signing of Matuidi from Juventus last summer, Neville needs to balance the books and get rid of at least one first-team player.
Beckham’s former sporting director Paul McDonough was banned for two years following the lengthy MLS probe and his poor signings culminated in Neville taking over an average squad.
Some movement has been possible – Stoke legend Ryan Shawcross arrived in March only to struggle for form and fitness – but Kieran Gibbs (left) has impressed since arriving last month from West Brom and
scored his first MLS goal in the battling 1-1 draw at Orlando on Wednesday.
The 44-year-old has had a rollercoaster introduction to life Stateside but is clearly up for the fight.
Neville is settled with his family in south Florida – son Harvey has signed for Inter Miami’s sister team in Fort Lauderdale and could make the step up – and has the full backing of Beckham and the rest of the ownership group.
The ex-England captain still has an effect on the squad when he’s in town.
Neville added: “It’s no surprise that results have improved since he’s come back and that is because of his presence.
“You don’t see many owners go to a fan park, have a beer and take some selfies with the supporters. It was a nice moment. David has been a massive support here for me from day one.”
David has been a massive support
here for me from day one