🇺🇸 Neville sacked, Messi in? Inter Miami and two watershed moments | OneFootball

Inter Miami’s decision to part ways with manager Phil Neville appears to have been a no-brainer.

The Eastern Conference club have just 15 points through the same number of games so far in the 2023 MLS campaign and, without a win in the league since May 13, they don’t seem to be turning a corner.

“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,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said.

“He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans. Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach.”

After qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history in 2022, the Miami hierarchy had hoped that with some additions to the squad, Neville could take their side into the conversation as one of the elite MLS clubs.

With progress on the horizon, Miami made their first big splash in the transfer market with an ambitious signing of legendary MLS striker Josef Martínez, the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the league’s history.

But with just three goals from 11 appearances so far this season, Martínez has failed to be the needle mover the club’s decision makers had hoped he would be.

This slow start from both the club and its supposed superstar has culminated in Phil Neville’s sacking, but what comes next for the young club?

It is the worst kept secret in American soccer at the moment, Inter Miami want Lionel Messi, and so does MLS.

The PSG man is out of contract in Paris in the coming weeks, and will still be one of the hottest commodities in world football, particularly as a free agent.

Some reports have even suggested that MLS clubs will all throw money into the pot to help Inter Miami afford Messi’s wage demands. Others have pointed to the possibility that the league could offer Messi a partial slice of ownership in the club to offset those demands.

Whatever solution they find, it will be a watershed moment in the club’s future.

Do they want to be the type of MLS club that puts bums in seats because middling former European superstars are in town or do they want to win? The new era of MLS is starting to show that those two options are mutually exclusive.