Phil Neville: Birthday Article | OneFootball

Former England international, Everton and Manchester United legend Phil Neville, celebrates his birthday today! Born on January 21, 1977, Neville has carved a soccer career spanning decades both as a player (successfully) and most recently as a manager (sort of successfully).

A Red Devil Through and Through

Phil Neville rose through Manchester United’s prestigious academy. He was part of the club’s golden generation in the late 90s alongside his brother, Gary, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt. Making his first-team debut in 1994, Neville was known for his versatility, excelling as both a full-back and a defensive midfielder. During his time at United, he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the prestigious UEFA Champions League in 1999 as part of the historic treble-winning squad.

A New Chapter at Everton

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In 2005, Neville moved to Everton. He swiftly became a key figure in the squad, eventually earning the captain’s armband. His leadership and defensive prowess made him a fan favorite at Goodison Park, and he remained with the Toffees until his retirement in 2013.

International Career

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On the international stage, Neville earned 59 caps for England, representing the Three Lions in multiple European Championships. Though often overshadowed by more attacking stars, his reliability and tactical intelligence made him a valuable asset to the national team.

A Managerial Path

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – JULY 30: Head coach Phil Neville of Inter Miami CF looks on against FC Cincinnati at DRV PNK Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Lauren Sopourn/Getty Images)

Following his playing days, Neville transitioned into coaching by earning his UEFA Pro license. He took on coaching positions with Manchester United, Salford City (where he is also an owner) and Valencia before his appointment as manager of the England Women’s National Team in 2018. Though he led the Lionesses to the semifinals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a poor dip in form over the following year brought much criticism. In 2021 he left the Lionesses camp to manage Inter Miami, a club co-owned by former teammate, David Beckham. Miami parted ways with Neville in June 2023, sitting dead last in their conference. He subsequently joined the Portland Timbers, where he has notched a record of 14 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses.