SerpApi.Org
Almost exactly two months after the Portland Timbers and longtime Premier League defender Phil Neville opted to part ways, his permanent replacement as head coach has finally been named.
Taking the ex-England international’s place is Martí Cifuentes, who previously managed the likes of Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Championship.
The 44-year-old Spaniard’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday, just a day before the Timbers are scheduled to return to action in the MLS following the FIFA World Cup break. Currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, Portland is set to host FC Dallas at 10:30pm ET.
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Cifuentes has put pen to paper on a three-year contract which, theoretically, will see him remain at Providence Park through the 2028-2029 season (by which point the MLS will have switched to a summer-spring format).
In a statement made following his appointment, the former Foxes boss said, “I am incredibly excited to become the next head coach of this club.
“My conversations with Merritt and Ned [Grabavoy] were truly inspiring, and their vision aligns perfectly with what I want to be part of. I have always followed MLS, and it has long been an ambition of mine to experience this league.
“To have the chance to do so at a club like Portland, with such an incredible fanbase and an exciting group of players, is truly special. I know how passionate this city is about soccer, and the connection between the club and the city is what makes this opportunity so meaningful.
“We want to build a team with a clear identity, strong ambition, and a real sense of togetherness, one that represents this city and makes our supporters proud. Soccer in the U.S. is entering a new era, with the country hosting the World Cup and the sport continuing to grow in so many ways. To be part of that journey and contribute to the next chapter of the game here is a privilege.”
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The U.S. will be the sixth nation in which Cifuentes has coached at a senior level, having previously tackled Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and England. Most recently, he led Leicester for just 31 games for the second half of their 2025-2026 season, which saw them relegated to League One just a decade removed from their remarkable Premier League title run.
Cifuentes was ultimately fired just over six months after taking charge, having led his side to an 11-8-12 record, sitting 14th in the Championship.
Now he takes charge of a Timbers side looking to reach the MLS Cup playoffs for the third season in a row - although their last appearance in the Final was back in 2021.
Timbers owner Merritt Paulson described their head coaching search as “by far the most detailed and exhaustive” the club has ever been through, adding that they were “thrilled to have the process culminate in Martí Cifuentes taking the reins of our club.
“Martí is a young, analytical leader who is as intellectually curious about his trade as I have seen in a coach. He has been tested in a variety of high-pressure environments and countries, and I have no doubt that with our support, Martí Cifuentes will build something truly special in Portland."
