Top News

Major League Soccer

·25 May 2026

By Jaime Uribarri

The Portland Timbers have officially announced that they have decided to mutually part ways with head coach Phil Neville.

Neville’s exit comes as the Timbers head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup break, following their 3-1 home defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes during the Walmart Saturday Showdown.

The club has confirmed that the search for a new head coach is already underway.

“In my almost twenty years of owning and managing the Portland Timbers, there have been very few individuals I’ve enjoyed working alongside more than Phil Neville,” said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.

“Phil possesses exceptional leadership skills and an endless sense of optimism, even during challenging times. I sincerely thank him for his relentless commitment to this club and to the Portland community, which he and his family wholeheartedly embraced.”

Neville, who previously managed Inter Miami CF from 2021 to 2023, was appointed as the Timbers’ head coach prior to the 2024 season. During his tenure, he recorded a 27W-31L-24D regular-season performance.

Under Neville’s guidance, Portland reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in both his seasons, although they were eliminated in the first round on each occasion.

Currently, the Timbers are positioned 13th in the Western Conference standings with 14 points (4W-8L-2D record), and they are enduring a three-match winless streak.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Merritt Paulson, Ned Grabavoy, and the entire Portland family for their unwavering support in giving me this role and standing by me,” Neville said in a statement.

“To my staff, thank you for your incredible loyalty and hard work. And to the most amazing group of players: thank you for the effort, the good moments, the victories, the defeats, and all the laughter we shared.”

“I understand that football is a results-driven business, and our outcomes have not met the expectations of this great club. To the Timbers Army — you are the inspiration that drove me to strive for success here. Continue supporting the players and the club in this beautiful city. I will miss you all deeply.”

Portland are scheduled to return to action on July 16, when they travel to face their Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

According to the team, any interim coaching decisions will be aligned with the timeline of appointing a new head coach.

“We appreciate Phil’s dedication and contributions during his tenure with the Portland Timbers,” said general manager Ned Grabovoy. “Phil brought enthusiasm and passion to the position, and it was a privilege to work with him. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

“During the offseason, we had in-depth discussions regarding the areas that required improvement. Unfortunately, the progress we anticipated did not materialize, and most importantly, the results have not met our expectations.”