Beckham sends Phil Neville good luck after joining MLS rival Portland Timbers

David Beckham is wishing friend and former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville luck in his new position with the Portland Timbers five months after firing his long-time teammate in South Florida.

'Congratulations mate and good luck,' read the Instagram caption written by Beckham.

With Inter Miami mired in last place back in June, Neville was fired halfway through his third season as coach of Beckham's MLS team. Neville was 35-42-13 with Inter Miami.

The 46-year-old Neville is a former teammate of Beckham's on Manchester United and England's national team, making 56 international appearances from 1996-2007. He coached England's women's national team from 2018 until 2021, and also took a job with Canada men's national team prior to being hired as Portland's coach earlier this week.

Neville replaces Giovanni Savarese, who was let go by the Timbers in August after more than five seasons with the club. Portland went to the playoffs in four of those seasons and reached the MLS Cup title game in 2018 and 2021.

Portland's decision to hire Neville was controversial, and the Timbers Army Supporters group issued a statement over the weekend asking the team to reconsider after word of his appointment leaked.

The group cited some of Neville's past statements about women on social media a decade ago. Neville has since apologized for the posts.

'We are deeply disappointed that the club has reportedly settled on a finalist for head coach who has a history of sexist public statements that run counter to our ethos as a club, city and supporters' group, and who also lacks a proven track record as a manager,' the statement said.

Neville was forced to apologize back in 2018 over a string of sexist tweets that resurfaced shortly after he was named England women's coach.

In 2012 the 46-year-old wrote: 'Morning men couple of hours cricket be4 (before) work sets me up nicely for the day.'

Later, when asked why he only referred to men, he replied: 'When I said morning men I thought the women would of [sic] been busy preparing breakfast/getting kids ready/making the beds-sorry morning women!'

Another Tweet read: 'Relax I'm back chilled - just battered the wife!!! Feel better now!' while one message from December 2012 said: 'U women of [Sic] always wanted equality until it comes to paying the bills #hypocrites'

Timbers fans also accused Neville of lacking 'a proven track record as a manager.'

The statement continued: 'We urge the Timbers to reconsider this hire and re-evaluate other candidates before finalizing a contract.'

Neville is expected to be introduced by the Timbers at a press conference on Tuesday.