Backlash from Portland Timbers supporters over association with ‘sexist’ coach, Phil Neville
A Portland Timbers Fan Group Expresses Deep Disappointment Over Phil Neville’s Link to the Club
In a surprising turn of events, a prominent fan group of the Portland Timbers has expressed their deep disappointment regarding the club’s potential association with manager Phil Neville due to his controversial history.
Neville, who was recently relieved of his duties at Inter Miami in June, is now being linked to the vacant managerial position at the Major League Soccer (MLS) side. However, this news has not been well-received by supporters.
The former England women’s boss had previously come under fire for making sexist statements on social media. After assuming his role as head coach in 2018, he apologized for past controversial tweets about women but faced criticism nonetheless.
One tweet in particular suggested that women would be too preoccupied with household chores and childcare responsibilities to pay attention to his messages. At the time, Neville stated that these comments did not accurately reflect his true character or beliefs.
The Timbers Army supporters’ club has taken issue with both Neville’s questionable remarks and his lackluster track record as a manager. In an official statement released by the group, they expressed their concerns about rebuilding trust with fans and community while selecting a head coach who does not align with their values:
“The Portland Timbers are currently undergoing significant rebuilding efforts on and off the pitch. It is deeply disappointing that our beloved club appears to have settled upon hiring a finalist for the head coach position who has a well-documented history of making sexist public statements. This contradicts our club’s ethos, as well as the values held by our city and supporters’ group. Furthermore, it is disheartening that this individual lacks a proven track record as a manager.”
Undoubtedly, Neville’s three-year tenure as coach of the England women’s team from 2018 to 2021 played a substantial role in his profile. However, his brief stint at Inter Miami ended in disappointment, with the team languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference after enduring ten defeats in just thirteen games.