Beckham and Miami – it’s a match made in heaven

They may have begun their football journey as boys in Manchester almost 40 years ago, but the partnership of David Beckham and Phil Neville is thriving across the ocean in a very different setting. Inter Miami, a young club in the Major League Soccer family, is boosted by big names of English football.

David Beckham was excited to welcome his friend to Miami as the former England Women head coach took charge of his first training session in America.

"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 for Inter Miami."

The legendary midfielder, who ended his playing career in 2013 with Paris Saint-Germain, is determined to use all his experience and unblemished popularity in the world of sports to raise the profile of his new club. But it’s not to say that the footballing side of it is going to take a back seat. It’s just the opposite. Phil Neville knows very well what it takes to build a successful team on sound foundations, having worked with some of the best in the business.

"I have been talking to the club’s co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas about the values of Inter and they are the same values Sir Alex Ferguson had and Manchester United have. All the best teams have it. There are great parallels in the way we want to promote our young players and give them opportunities, creating a style and behaviour that is the best."

The team from Florida secured the signing of English centre-back Ryan Shawcross from Stoke City. It’s another coup that will bring not only talent to the team, but also a wealth of knowledge and experience that should benefit the club bot on and off the pitch. The club has only been competing for one season in the MLS, so bringing in experienced players and staff is going to be essential in the bid to establish Miami as a footballing force in America. Shawcross, another Manchester United Academy product, who captained Stoke in the Premier League, will be Phil Neville’s voice in the dressing room, a man who will make sure people focus on their jobs.

It’s an exciting time for Miami, who are looking forward to adding some soccer success to their vibrant city. With the ability and know-how of Beckham, Neville and Shawcross, they seem to be on the right course.