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I knew I’d be sacked because of Messi – Neville admits
Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has opened up about his departure as coach of Inter Miami and the arrival of Lionel Messi to the club. Neville claims that he had a sense that Messi’s arrival would mark the end of his coaching role at Inter Miami.Neville was dismissed by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham a fortnight prior to Messi’s signing. At the time of Neville’s departure, the team was performing poorly, with only two wins in thirteen matches, resulting in a low standing in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami replaced Neville with Tata Martino, and under his guidance, there has been a notable transformation at the club. Messi’s remarkable contribution, scoring nine goals in just six games, has propelled the team to qualify for the Leagues Cup final against Nashville, offering them the opportunity to secure their first piece of silverware.
Neville spoke about his departure and the anticipation of Messi’s arrival during an episode of Taylor Twellman’s Offside podcast. He stated, “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 emphasized that his apprehension wasn’t rooted in self-doubt but rather in recognizing the distinct nature of Messi’s impact on a club.
Neville further 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. That is the reason I left.”
This insight offers a glimpse into the intricate world of coaching decisions and the dynamic shifts that can occur within a football club based on player acquisitions and team performance.
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