Inter Miami have named former Argentina international Javier Mascherano as their new head coach, the Major League Soccer club announced on Tuesday.
Mascherano, who will reunite with ex-Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi at the club, steps into the role following the departure of Gerardo Martino, who resigned last week citing “personal reasons.”
The 40-year-old, who recently managed Argentina’s Under-20s and their Olympic team in Paris, brings a wealth of experience to Miami.
During his playing career, Mascherano made 203 appearances for Barcelona, where he shared the pitch not only with Messi but also with current Inter Miami players Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez.
Additionally, during his tenure coaching Argentina’s youth teams, Mascherano worked with Miami’s Tomas Aviles, Facundo Farias, and Federico Redondo.
Club owner Jorge Mas highlighted the significance of Mascherano’s appointment, saying, “This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximise our unique collection of talent – from our global superstars, to our burgeoning homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between.
“Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level; he has the blend of skills and experience we were looking for.
“We believe Javier is an important addition to our club as we continue on our quest to be among the world’s elite, setting a new standard for football in North America,” added Mas.
Inter Miami are coming off a historic MLS season, where they dominated the regular season to claim the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best overall record.
Their points tally set a new benchmark, earning them a spot in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup. However, their campaign ended unexpectedly in the playoffs, losing in a best-of-three series to Atlanta.
Club co-owner David Beckham expressed confidence in Mascherano’s ability to lead MLS’s most high-profile team.
“Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great – relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts, and understanding to back it up. We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team,” Beckham stated.
Mascherano’s illustrious playing career saw him rise through the ranks of River Plate in Argentina before a stint with Corinthians in Brazil.
He later moved to Europe, featuring for West Ham United and Liverpool in the Premier League before making his mark at Barcelona.
With the Catalan giants, the defensive midfielder won five La Liga titles and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy twice.
Reflecting on his new role, Mascherano shared his excitement, “To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of.
“I was drawn to the organisation’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it. I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments,” he added.
Tuesday also saw coaching changes elsewhere in MLS. New York City FC announced the departure of Nick Cushing after their playoff elimination at the hands of local rivals New York Red Bulls.
Meanwhile, St. Louis City, a second-year MLS team that missed the playoffs, appointed former Sweden captain and Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg as their new head coach.
