Phil Neville has spoken publicly for the first time about his sacking as Inter Miami head coach by his close friend and former Manchester United teammate David Beckham. Neville was dismissed in June with the club bottom of the Eastern Conference, a decision Beckham described as 'tough'.
In an interview on the Offside with Taylor Twellman podcast, Neville revealed the conversation with Beckham was 'really hard' but insisted he feels no bitterness. 'They were incredibly honest to me,' he said. '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.'
Neville admitted he had a feeling he would be replaced once Lionel Messi's move to the club became imminent. 'I always had a feeling deep down I wasn't going to be here when he was going to come to the club,' he explained. '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.'
The former England international, who co-owns Salford City with Beckham and other Class of 92 members, said he looks forward rather than 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.'
