Phil Neville on Kieran Gibbs' future with Inter Miami: "He has probably got a decision to make"
Sources have told Miami Total Futbol that the veteran defender has been absent from training for several days now
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Kieran Gibbs is a part of Inter Miami’s roster right now, but he may not be for much longer.
Gibbs was absent from the matchday roster for the preseason finale against Austin FC that ended in a 2-2 draw this past weekend, and sources have told Miami Total Futbol that he has been missing from Inter Miami training for several days now.
Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville was asked on Tuesday afternoon about Gibbs’ recent disappearance. While the manager stated that Gibbs is currently a member of the South Florida side, Neville also hinted at retirement as a possible outcome for the veteran with the uncertain future.
“Kieran is obviously a part of this squad at this moment in time (but) it is going to be tough for him to get games,” said Neville. “He knows what we think of him at this football club, and he has probably got a decision to make himself about the next stage.
“Does he want to just be a squad player or does he want to do something else? I think we have left that up to him. We have had really good, open conversations with him, and we see him as part of this club. I think he does too.”
Gibbs, 33, has had his entire Inter Miami spell overshadowed by injuries. He was limited to just 10 starts in 12 appearances in his first MLS season in 2021 before getting the nod a mere eight times in 15 matches last year.
The Englishman has played primarily as a left back for Inter Miami, but saw some time at centerback in 2022. Sources have told Miami Total Futbol that Neville looked at Gibbs as a left central defender in a 5-3-2 formation during this recently-concluded preseason, which might mean that Gibbs was no longer being considered as a fullback option despite boasting the type of experience that youngsters Noah Allen and Harvey Neville lack.
The MLS Players Association listed Gibbs as earning a base salary of $370,000 last year, a not insignificant amount for an Inter Miami side that is continuing to work through the financial sanctions that MLS handed down for roster rule violations during the franchise’s debut season in 2020.
Inter Miami is set to open the new MLS campaign on Saturday when the Herons host CF Montreal at Drv Pnk Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.