Former teammate of Lionel Messi at both FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team, Javier Mascherano is reportedly set to become the new head coach of Inter Miami.
This development follows the resignation of Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who stepped down after Inter Miami's unexpected exit from the MLS playoffs, where they were defeated by Atlanta United in the quarterfinals on November 9, 2024.
Mascherano, who played alongside Messi during their successful years at Barcelona and shared the field with him in Argentina's national squad, will be taking on his first role as a first-division head coach. His managerial experience includes leading Argentina's U-20 team, where he secured the L’Alcudia trophy, and managing the U-23 squad at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Despite some challenges, such as not advancing past the group stages in France and being knocked out by Nigeria in the round of 16 at the youth World Cup, Mascherano's leadership skills and extensive playing career are seen as valuable assets for his new role.
According to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Mascherano has agreed to a long-term contract with Inter Miami, marking him as the third Argentine to coach the team, following interim coach Javier Morales and Martino. The club is reportedly in the process of finalizing the necessary documentation for his appointment.
This transition comes at a time when Inter Miami is preparing for the 2025 season, aiming to build on the achievements under Martino, who led the team to win the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield and set a record with 74 points in a single season.
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