Phil Neville’s time as head coach of the Portland Timbers ended on Memorial Day morning after the club mutually agreed to part ways. The team sat in 13th place in the Western Conference and was on track for its joint-worst MLS season ever. Neville had aimed for aggressive, front-foot soccer, but his teams were often too open defensively and showed disjointed attacking patterns. Losses were attributed by Neville to effort and competitiveness rather than tactics. Despite the lack of results, Neville’s personal qualities were widely praised, including accessibility, candidness, and energy. Club owner Merritt Paulson said he enjoyed working with Neville, and Neville’s departure statement was described as class.
"Merritt Paulson, in a club statement, said that in nearly two decades owning the Timbers, "there are very few people I have enjoyed working with more than Phil Neville." Members of the press corps, both in Portland and across the country, praised Neville's accessibility, his candidness and energy. Neville's own statement in the press release announcing his departure was all class."
Read at Portland Mercury
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