The Portland Timbers announced on May 25, 2026, that Phil Neville has stepped down as head coach by mutual agreement after a poor run of results this season [1, 2, 3]. Neville's final match in charge was a 3-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on May 24, which left the Timbers 13th out of 15 in the MLS Western Conference, well outside playoff contention and eight points behind an automatic playoff spot [1, 2, 3].
Neville, 49, took over as Portland Timbers coach in late 2023, about six months after leaving Inter Miami [1, 3]. Before joining the Timbers, he had led the England women's national team to the 2019 World Cup semi-finals [1, 2]. Under Neville's leadership, Portland reached the MLS playoffs in both 2024 and 2025 but exited in the first round each year [1, 2, 3].
Portland has played 14 matches so far in the 2026 MLS season and won only 4, ranking 13th in the Western Conference [3]. General manager Ned Grabavoy said the team had not shown the progress needed, adding, "Ultimately, we have not seen the progress we've needed to, and, most importantly, results have fallen well short of expectations" [1, 3].
Team owner Merritt Paulson praised Neville's leadership despite the poor results. He said, "In my nearly two decades of owning and operating the Portland Timbers, there are very few people I have enjoyed working with more than Phil Neville. Phil has outstanding leadership qualities and a boundless sense of positivity even in the face of adversity" [2, 3].
Neville acknowledged the pressure of the role and said, "I realise we are in a results business, and the results haven't been to the expectation of this football club" [1, 2, 3].
MLS has entered a break for the 2026 World Cup, which starts in about two weeks [1, 3]. The Timbers are scheduled to resume their season against the Seattle Sounders on July 16, 2026 [3].
