Inter Miami on the Verge of Appointing Javier Mascherano as New Head Coach

Following their exit from the MLS Cup conference quarterfinals, Gerardo “Tata” Martino has stepped down as Inter Miami’s head coach, citing personal reasons. In a bid to fill the void, the Miami-based franchise is closing in on appointing former Barcelona star Javier Mascherano as their new head coach. Talks between both parties are reportedly progressing, with the deal nearing its final stages.

Javier Mascherano, who’s currently at the helm of Argentina’s U20 team, is poised to take over as Inter Miami’s new head coach once the paperwork is finalized. The hiring of Mascherano is a culmination of a month-long search, as co-owner Jorge Mas and President of Football Operations Raúl Sanllehi were informed of Martino’s intentions to leave on 16th November. With just a few formalities remaining, Mascherano’s arrival is set to be officially confirmed. According to reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, “Javier Mascherano will be officially announced as new Inter Miami manager in the upcoming days. All documents are in place, three year deal for Mascherano who’s gonna work with Messi again.” Mascherano’s hiring also paves the way for Diego Placente to step in as Argentina’s new U20 coach. 

During a recent news conference, co-owner Jorge Mas provided some insights into their search for a new head coach. He said, “We had a list; this is an extremely attractive job and position for a coach. We got it down to three final candidates by Tuesday and we made -- David Beckham, Raúl, my brother José Mas and myself -- made the decision two days ago and we will announce the coach in the next few days.” Mas also emphasized that prior experience of coaching in MLS wasn’t a necessity. Instead, they wanted a coach who could gain the respect of a star-studded locker room. And Javier Mascherano fits that description to a tee. 

Mascherano had a trophy-laden career, playing for clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona. During his spell with Barcelona, Mascherano shared the pitch with the likes of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. Additionally, Messi and Mascherano were in the same Argentina squad for more than a decade. Therefore, before finalizing Mascherano’s appointment, Jorge Mas consulted with Messi. He said, “I spoke to Leo on Saturday after he and Tata spoke. I asked him what is important to you and what is important to get the best of our roster. How do we improve? Leo shared with me his thoughts, not dissimilar to what I explained.” Mas added further, “Without a doubt a familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect. I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new trainer and coach.” With a deal in place, Mascherano is ready to take the reins at Inter Miami as they gear up for the 2025 MLS season.