MIAMI (June 1, 2023) – Inter Miami CF has announced the Club has parted ways with Phil Neville. The team has also announced that it has parted ways with Assistant Coach Jason Kreis. Inter Miami CF Assistant Coach Javier Morales will assume the role as Interim Head Coach effective immediately, while Assistant Coach Darren Powell, Goalkeeper Coach Sebastián Saja, and Assistant Coach and Performance Analyst Alec Scott will remain in their current roles.
“We are and always have been an ambitious Club. Sometimes the path to growth involves difficult decisions and today is one of those moments. We are grateful to Phil for the dedication and tenacity he brought to Inter Miami. His positive contributions are embedded in our team culture and he represented our Club with class and dignity,” said Inter Miami CF Managing Owner, Jorge Mas. “I would like to welcome Javi Morales to his new role. Javi has been a key member of our organization since day one and understands our goals.”
“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. He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans,” said Co-Owner David Beckham. “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. I want to personally thank Phil for his hard work, his passion for our Club and for his integrity as a person.”
“This was a difficult decision but one we feel is the best for the Club at this moment. Phil and I started together in 2021 and since then I saw firsthand the hard work, strong foundation and culture he has helped instill at Inter Miami. We are thankful for his and Jason’s contributions, highlighted by the empowerment of the Club’s next generation of Homegrown talents, and wish them nothing but the best in the future,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, Chris Henderson. “We’re excited about this opportunity for Javi and look forward to continuing to see his growth at Inter Miami.”
“I would like to thank the Inter Miami CF ownership group for their trust and making me a part of this project; the players and staff for their impressive commitment, dedication and hard work; and the fans for their unwavering support for the Club since day one. I’m grateful to have played a part in the growth of this Club and wish Inter Miami CF all the best in the future,” said Neville.
Neville was appointed in January 2021 after a three-year stint as the head coach of the England Women’s National Team. During his two-and-a-half years with Inter Miami, the team reached the MLS Cup playoffs in 2022 and saw five Academy graduates make their First Team debuts.
Interim Head Coach, Morales joined Inter Miami in early 2019 as an Academy coach. In 2022, he led Inter Miami’s U-17 side to the semifinals of the 2022 Generation adidas Cup, a first-place finish in the U-17 East (South) Division and qualified the team for MLS NEXT U-17 playoffs. Ahead of the 2023 season, Morales earned a spot as a First Team assistant coach. Prior to transitioning to coaching, Morales initially joined MLS in 2007 as a player after previously spending the bulk of his career in his native Argentina. Morales made an instant impact. The former midfielder – nicknamed ‘El Maestro’ – enjoyed a successful 11-year stay in MLS with Real Salt Lake and later on FC Dallas, in which he racked up 255 regular season appearances and 21 playoff appearances, registering a total 53 goals and 92 assists, between 2007 and 2017. In 2008 Morales completed his first full season in MLS, in which he guided RSL to its first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs on the strength of his 15 regular season assists. Then, in his second season in the league, Morales helped RSL clinch the 2009 MLS Cup title, the only one in club history to date.
Inter Miami CF returns to action this Saturday, June 3 when the team hosts D.C. United at DRV PNK Stadium. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and tickets for the match are available at InterMiamiCF.com.
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