Neville nears Inter Miami appointment after DA exit

Inter Miami have announced the departure of manager Diego Alonso, potentially paving the way for outgoing England Women boss Phil Neville to take the reins.

Neville is understood to have held preliminary discussions with the Major League Soccer side about the position and one obstacle has now been removed after the club revealed they had mutually agreed to part ways with Alonso.

Under the former Uruguay striker, the club finished 10th in the Eastern Conference in their maiden MLS season last year, while they were eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs in the ‘play-in’ round.

“On behalf of the organisation, I want to thank Diego for his hard work and dedication during our inaugural season and wish him the best in his future endeavours,” the club’s managing owner Jorge Mas said.

“This was a difficult year and a very tough decision for everyone, but we believe it is the right step for the club. We have great expectations for Inter Miami in the short and long term.”

The club are co-owned by Neville’s former Manchester United and England teammate David Beckham, who is also his fellow co-owner of Sky Bet League Two side Salford.

Neville, meanwhile, is set to step down as Lionesses boss when his contract expires in July, with Holland’s Sarina Wiegman starting work as his successor from next September.

W h i l e N e v i l l e h a s e xpressed his desire to oversee a Great Britain team’s fortunes at this summer’s delayed Tokyo Olympics, those hopes are likely to end if he succeeds Alonso.

England Women’s manager Phil Neville.