Inter Miami names new coach, sporting director

Inter Miami CF named Phil Neville their new coach and Chris Henderson sporting director on Monday.

Neville, as expected, takes over for Diego Alonso, with whom the organization parted earlier this month. Neville, coming off his first head coaching stint with the England women's national team, was a teammate of co-owner David Beckham on Manchester United.

Henderson replaces Paul McDonough, who stepped down from his role as chief operating officer and sporting director last month.

"I am very happy with the leadership group we have established to lead the team as we turn the page following our inaugural season and look forward to having Chris and Phil join us soon," Beckham said in a club statement. "I have known Phil since we were both teenagers at the Manchester United Academy. We share a footballing DNA, having been trained by some of the best leaders in the game, and it's those values that I have always wanted running through our club."

Inter Miami finished its inaugural season with a 7-13-3 record in 23 matches (1.04 points per game) and a 10th-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season. Inter Miami dropped a 3-0 decision to fellow expansion team Nashville SC on Nov. 20 in the play-in round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

"I am incredibly delighted for this opportunity to coach Inter Miami and to work with Chris and the entire ownership group," Neville said in the statement. "This is a very young club with a lot of promise and upside, and I am committed to challenging myself, my players and everyone around me to grow and build a competitive soccer culture we can all be proud of. This fantastic soccer-loving market deserves consistent performances and a winning mentality, and I look forward to getting to work."

Henderson spent the past 13 seasons as sporting director for the Seattle Sounders.

--Field Level Media