Neville: I knew I’d be sacked because of Messi

Former Manchester United defender, Phil Neville, has claimed he knew Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami would mean the end for him as a coach.

Neville was sacked by co-owner of the MLS side, David Beckham, two weeks before Messi’s arrival.

He left with the team last in the MLS Eastern Conference after a run of two wins in 13.

Inter Miami hired Tata Martino to replace Neville, and since then, there has been a transformation at the club.

Messi’s nine goals in six games have seen the team qualify for Saturday’s Leagues Cup final against Nashville – their first chance to win silverware.

Speaking on Taylor Twellman’s Offside podcast, Neville said: “I always had a feeling deep down I wasn’t going to be here (in Miami) when he (Messi) was going to come to the club.

“And I say that not lacking confidence in myself, but this was different, this was not signing Gonzalo Higuain or Blaise Matuidi.

“You look around the world, the way he has been at other clubs and there has always been certain managers that managed him. The bottom line for me was, forget Messi, the results weren’t good enough the last month I was in the job and I knew that. That is the reason I left.”