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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Phil Neville opens up on managing son Harvey and Romeo Beckham at Inter Miami

Phil Neville has described Romeo Beckham as a "delightful kid".

The former Manchester United defender is currently manager of Inter Miami - David Beckham's MLS franchise - where Romeo is on the books.

The 19-year-old joined Miami's reserve side Fort Lauderdale last September and went on to make six professional appearances during the 2021 campaign.

Romeo's is primarily a right-winger - just like his old man.

Neville's son Harvey is also part of Miami's reserve squad and was a regular last season, playing 21 games at right-back and in defensive midfield - again, just like his dad.

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Romeo Beckham made his first-team debut for Inter Miami in a friendly last month (Getty Images)

Harvey, 19, also has experience at international level, picking up an U19 cap for the Republic of Ireland in October 2019. He qualifies for the country through his maternal grandmother.

Both players made their non-competitive debuts for Miami's first-team last month and Neville is willing to give him a chance.

As per his interview with The Times, though, the former England Women manager is unwilling to guarantee either player minutes this term.

But Neville could hand a competitive debut to Harvey this weekend when Miami host Chicago Fire in their MLS opener on Saturday.

It's believed the manager's son may be on the bench for the fixture and is considering moving out of the Neville family home.

"Julie has said she’ll divorce me if he goes" joked Neville. "But the lad wants to fly and I do think it will be for the best.

"He’s my best friend, I love him so much. But I also have to be hard on him.

"It’s more difficult for him to get in the team than anyone else, and he has to live with that stigma of being my son.

"That, however, can make it tough when we both get home from work.

"I might be on the phone talking about training, or a performance, or another player, and that creates a conflict.

"I’ve spoken to people who have been in the same situation and they all say it can become tricky.

Phil Neville's son Harvey is also on Inter Miami's books (John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

"Harvey has some good friends in the squad and all the players live in the Las Olas area [towards the beach] and he wants an apartment down there.

"He’s looking forward to it. Of course, when it comes to it, I’ll probably be the one who’s told to go and live there."

Miami were founded in January 2018 and started competing in the MLS two years later. They've finished 19th and 20th overall in their first two campaigns.

Beckham is a co-owner, co-founder and the president of the club having been given the option to buy an expansion team when he signed for LA Galaxy in 2007.

The former England captain was one of the first big-name players to star in the MLS, leaving Real Madrid aged 32 to join the emerging league.

Miami boast several former Premier League players in their roster - including DeAndre Yedlin, Kieran Gibbs - as well as prolific Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.

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