FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi’s next coach in Major League Soccer has already been decided. It’s just a matter of days until there will be a formal announcement, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said Friday.
The choice will be Javier Mascherano – the Argentina U-20 coach who played with Messi and Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets with Barcelona. Several outlets in Argentina reported the news Friday, while Mas did not confirm or deny the reports during a press conference at Chase Stadium.
“I can confirm that today we are close to finalizing an agreement with a coach, and will announce a new coach for Inter Miami in the next few days,” Mas said Friday.
Before Mas spoke, the club’s former coach Tata Martino said he stepped down from his post because he must return home to Rosario, Argentina for personal reasons.
Martino said he knew he was going to step down before Inter Miami’s first-round exit against Atlanta United in the MLS Cup Playoffs began on Oct. 26. He wanted to inform the club during the FIFA international break last week. The club was eliminated from the postseason on Nov. 9.
“Without a doubt, it was an extremely disappointing ending to this year,” Mas said of Inter Miami’s premature playoff exit. “We expect here to win. There’s pressure on this club to win, and it’s a good thing.”
Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after being defeated by Atlanta.
When Mas learned of Martino’s plans to leave, the coaching search immediately began. Mas said he spoke on Saturday with Messi, who has been away with Argentina on international duty for his last two games of the year, about coaching candidates. The club was down to three candidates by Tuesday, Mas said.
Mascherano played at Barcelona from 2010-18 with Messi as well as Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. He was a Barcelona captain with Messi and Busquets.
Mascherano was also the captain of the Argentine national team from 2008-11, a role Messi now has with the reigning World Cup and back-to-back Copa America champions. Mascherano played with Messi for Argentina from 2003-2018, and is expected to step down from his post as Argentina U-20 coach to accept the Inter Miami position.
Inter Miami was considered the favorite to win the MLS Cup after a historic season, but the postseason continues this weekend without Messi in action.
Martino, who led Atlanta United to the MLS Cup title in 2018, accomplished plenty during his time at Inter Miami:
Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, seven games after Messi’s arrival. They played in the U.S. Open Cup final last year, but lost to the Houston Dynamo with Messi injured and unable to play.
The club earned 74 points to set the MLS points record this season, and won the Supporters’ Shield with the best regular season in league history. Only four clubs beat Inter Miami during the season, but Atlanta United was able to beat them three times all year, including Games 2 and 3 in the playoffs.
Helping Inter Miami reach new heights, and enjoying coaching Messi for the third – and likely final time – is what makes Martino walk away with a smile on his face.
“I feel this was the best moment of us working together,” Martino said of Messi, whom he coached at Barcelona and Argentina.
Inter Miami was founded in 2020, has won two trophies in the Messi era. The club will participate as a host club in the FIFA Club World Cup next summer. It will also have a chance to compete for four other trophies next year.
Mas is also hopeful Messi, who is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, will re-sign with the club again in 2026 when its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, is expected to open.
“Leo and I will sit and discuss the future. As I’ve said before and I will repeat now, I would fully expect for the opening for our new stadium in Miami in 2026, after a trophy laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi will be our No. 10,” Mas said.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inter Miami new coach in place, owner hopes Lionel Messi re-signs
