Former Inter Miami manager Phil Neville has detailed the "really hard" moment when lifelong friend David Beckham delivered the news about his sacking.
Neville, who was appointed in January 2021 following a three-year spell as the England Women's head coach, helped the Fort Lauderdale-based club to a place in the MLS Cup playoffs in 2022.
But, after picking up five wins in 16 games, the former Manchester United and Everton defender was relieved of his duties as The Herons sat bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.
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At the start of June this year, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham decided it was the right time to make a change.
"When we appointed Phil we knew he would give Inter Miami his all and I have watched him work incredibly hard and with real commitment towards the ambitions we set out for the club," Beckham said at the time.
"He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans."
Beckham continued: "Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach. Sometimes in this game we have to make the toughest decisions and sadly we feel the time is right to make a change.
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"I want to personally thank Phil for his hard work, his passion for our club and for his integrity as a person."
Two months later and, for the first time, Neville has spoken about his dismissal from Inter Miami during an appearance on Taylor Twellman's Offside podcast.
The 46-year-old opened up about the impending arrival of Lionel Messi and what that meant for his future, as well as the difficult but "special" conversation he had with co-owner Beckham.
"I always had a feeling deep down I wasn't going to be here [in Miami] when he [Messi] was going to come to the club," Neville said. "And I say that not lacking confidence in myself but this was different, this was not signing Gonzalo Higuain or Blaise Matuidi.
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"You look around the world, the way he has been at other clubs and there has always been certain managers that managed him. The bottom line for me was, forget Messi, the results weren't good enough the last month I was in the job and I knew that. That is the reason I left."
He added: "When I look in the mirror in the morning and my friends or social media say "it could have been you", well no it couldn't have. The results were not good enough. I knew the vision, I knew what the club wanted. I've been in football a long time and sometimes it is not meant to be. I am not bitter, twisted or angry."
Neville went on to quote a saying from Sir Alex Ferguson during the podcast.
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"They were incredibly honest to me," Neville said when asked about his departure. "I have had two special moments in my career away from the medals that I won and that is when I left Manchester United and when I left Miami. It was one that, in a way, filled me with pride with the respect they had for me.
"My best friend, one of my lifelong friends, delivered the news that I wasn't going to work for Inter Miami and that was really hard. Hard for David, hard for me but it was actually a really special moment between two people who have total respect and love for each other.
"I don't have any bitterness and I don't look back. Sir Alex Ferguson taught me that, my father taught me that - don't look back because If you look back you end up with pain and anger and bitterness. I look forward, I think Miami gave me and my family two and a half of the best years of my life."
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Inter Miami, David Beckham, Phil Neville, Lionel Messi, MLS, Major League Soccer