David Beckham says appointing Phil Neville as manager of his Major League Soccer side Inter Miami has "nothing to do" with him being his friend.
"We are running a serious soccer club here," said Beckham, who is one of four owners of the club.
"We hire people that we feel are best suited for the job."
Neville left his role as manager of England's women to take up the Inter Miami post.
He led the Lionesses to their first SheBelieves Cup title in 2019 and fourth place at the Women's World Cup later the same year, but results since that tournament have been poor.
Beckham added: "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.
A new era begins. #InterMiamiCF officially presents club Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson and head coach Phil Neville at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 22, 2021
Stream the Press Conference on our App/Youtube at 2:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/r2BocxcOHP
"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."
Beckham, 45, and Neville, 44, came through the ranks at Manchester United together before playing alongside each other for both United and England.
Looking good in the Pink 'n Black, Coach! 👍#InterMiamiCF | #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/EgU67GGwRX
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 21, 2021
