Former Lionel Messi teammate at Barcelona reportedly set to develop into Inter Miami’s new coach

Inter Miami‘s season ended earlier than anticipated. 10 days after falling within the MLS playoffs quarterfinals in opposition to Atlanta United, coach Gerardo Martino introduced his departure from the membership. With the membership making ready for the 2025 season, stories recommend that a former Lionel Messi‘s teammate at FC Barcelona is ready to be Martino’s substitute.

Martino’s exit from Inter Miami got here as a shock, however the executives moved shortly to search out his successor. In line with Argentine journalist and switch market skilled Cesar Luis Merlo, Javier Mascherano is ready to be Inter Miami’s coach for the subsequent season.

Merlo additionally reported that “the membership is already exchanging paperwork with the Argentine, who will signal a long-term contract” and that “he’ll go away his place as U-20 coach to handle Messi.” Javier Mascherano would be the third Argentine to teach Inter Miami, following interim coach Javier Morales and Martino.

Inter Miami will probably be Mascherano’s first expertise as a first-division coach. The previous Barcelona participant managed 41 matches in his brief profession, bringing expertise from managing Argentina’s U-20 staff, the place he secured the L’Alcudia trophy, and the U-23 squad, which he led on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games.

Mascherano and the problem of changing Inter Miami’s most profitable coach

Mascherano faces the daunting process of sustaining the excessive requirements set by Martino, Inter Miami’s most profitable supervisor. Below Martino, the staff flourished, attaining milestones corresponding to profitable the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Protect and setting a file with 74 factors in a single season. Martino’s tenure ended with a powerful file of 35 wins, 16 attracts, and 16 losses from 67 matches.

Mascherano’s in depth enjoying profession and management expertise will probably be property as he steps into this difficult position. He captained Argentina alongside Messi throughout pivotal moments, such because the 2014 World Cup (the place Argentina completed as runners-up) and the 2018 World Cup. This expertise, mixed together with his youth teaching background, positions him properly to handle a squad that balances veteran stars and rising expertise.

Mascherano’s new alternative to teach Messi

Earlier this 12 months, Mascherano expressed pleasure about doubtlessly teaching Messi on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Nevertheless, scheduling conflicts and Messi’s commitments to Inter Miami and the Copa América dashed these plans.

“I spoke with Leo, and we agreed to speak once more in a while. He’s simply beginning the season with Inter Miami, and there’s nonetheless some time to go earlier than the Olympics, particularly contemplating he additionally has the Copa América. It’s not a simple scenario. We’ll should see if he really has the power to be there,” Mascherano said in March.

An damage to Messi through the Copa América ultimate additional dominated out the potential for his Olympic participation. Now, as Inter Miami’s probably new head coach, Mascherano will lastly have the prospect to work with Messi as soon as once more, this time as a coach.

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