Phil Neville understands why Inter Miami fans are starting to turn on him, but he is drawing a line when it comes to his son.
There was plenty of discontent at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night, as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls. It was the fourth loss in a row for Inter and saw the club remain in last place in the Eastern Conference.
A “Neville Out” banner was spotted in the crowd as fans aired their desire to see the coach leave. The ire was also directed at Harvey Neville, who was subbed into the match in the 90th minute and was booed every time he touched the ball.
That did not sit well with Phil Neville, who urged his team’s fans to save their booing for him.
“I understand their frustrations,” Neville said in his post-game press conference. “I understand the banners and all that business because it comes with the territory of being a professional football manager.”
“I was incredibly, incredibly proud of the young boy that they were booing,” Neville added, referring to his 20-year-old son. “I think he showed great courage. And it hurts. But I understand and I think he understands.”
Asked if he had a message for the fans, the manager responded: “Please, just come for me … Don’t kill one of our own, don’t dump one of our own. Just come for me.”
“Don’t go for one of my boys, don’t go for one of my young kids because that hurts, that’s personal,” the manager added.
Inter Miami right back DeAndre Yedlin echoed his coach’s sentiments, saying it wasn’t fair for fans to target just one player.
“If you’re gonna boo him, then boo all of us,” the USMNT defender said. “We understand their frustrations but I don’t think it’s right to go after one player, especially a young player.”
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