Inter Miami has announced the appointment of former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano as its new head coach.
Mascherano, who will coach his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, replaces Gerardo Martino, who stepped down last week due to personal reasons.
Mascherano, 40, has most recently worked as coach of the Argentine Under-20 and Olympic teams. He had a distinguished playing career, making 203 appearances for Barcelona and winning numerous titles, including two Champions Leagues and five La Liga trophies .
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas welcomed Mascherano, saying, “This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent… Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level.”
Mascherano expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “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’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.”
Club co-owner David Beckham also praised Mascherano, saying, “Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great – relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts, and understanding to back it up.”
Mascherano’s appointment comes after Inter Miami dominated the MLS regular season, winning the Supporters’ Shield and breaking the points record. However, the team lost to Atlanta in the playoffs, leading to Martino’s departure.
