David Beckham says Phil Neville got Miami job on merit, not because they were friends

"We hire people that we feel are best suited for the job"

David Beckham has insisted the decision to hire Phil Neville as manager of his Major League Soccer team had nothing to do with the pair's friendship. Neville was officially announced as Inter Miami's manager earlier this week, prompting some to suggest he had been given the job as a result of his connection with Beckham, his former Manchester United and England teammate. Asked about the appointment, Beckham, one of four of Inter Miami's owners, refuted the suggestions, explaining that his coaching CV was enough reason to give him the job.

"We are running a serious soccer club here," he said. "We hire people that we feel are best suited for the job."

"My loyalty to Phil has always been there, because as a player I relied on him to keep making those runs by the side of me - I never gave him the ball because I thought I was a better crosser.

"But I knew he would keep on making those runs because he knew that was what was best for the team.

"He will make those decisions as a coach... and as a leader. That's why he is in this position, nothing to do with the relationship we have, the friendship we have, the loyalty we have to each other. He's the right man for the job."

Since calling time on his playing career, Neville has held coaching roles at Manchester United - where he former part of his former Everton manager David Moyes' coaching staff - and Valencia. He left his role as manager of England's women to take the role in Florida.