Top five candidates to replace Javier Mascherano at Inter Miami
The former FC Barcelona player left the club due to personal reasons.
Following a disappointing start to the 2026 MLS season and elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup, manager Javier Mascherano has left for “personal reasons.” Inter Miami now must make a crucial choice.
Mascherano had guided the squad to the 2025 MLS Cup. However, his “personal reasons” for leaving the club align with the same public justification given by Tata Martino, the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner.
From the least intriguing to the most alluring, we examine five managers the Herons could want to consider for the position.
List of candidates to replace Javier Mascherano at Inter Miami
| Rank | Managers |
| 5 | Xavi |
| 4 | Wilfried Nancy |
| 3 | MatĂas Almeyda |
| 2 | Lionel Scaloni |
| 1 | Marcelo Gallardo |
5. Xavi
As Mascherano did in 2025, overseeing Messi winning the MLS MVP award and his first MLS Golden Boot, and the club’s most memorable MLS Cup moment. Now, any next Miami coach will need to bring out the best in Messi. Could Miami hire another former Messi teammate who is now a manager in light of the success?
Xavi, one of the best midfielders in the game and a player who played during Messi’s prime at Barcelona, might be it. Whether he genuinely modifies Inter Miami’s setup or only acts as a fresh voice with a message and strategy akin to Mascherano’s is the crucial question.
4. Wilfried Nancy
Wilfried Nancy is the best candidate for the position if Inter Miami want to choose a manager who understands how to succeed in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The French-Canadian, who led Columbus Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup, 2024 Leagues Cup, and 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup final after winning the Canadian Championship with CF Montréal in 2021, is available following a miserable eight-game stint with Celtic FC.
3. MatĂas Almeyda
MatĂas Almeyda is no stranger to Major League Soccer (MLS), having led the San Jose Earthquakes from 2018 to 2022. He may be ready to return to the league with Inter Miami following stints with AEK Athens and Sevilla of LaLiga.
Messi has never played under the 52-year-old Argentine. He would, however, have an advantage in Concacaf expertise, having guided Liga MX’s Chivas Guadalajara to the Concacaf Champions League victory in 2018. This is a competition Inter Miami have often failed in while appearing to prioritise.
2. Lionel Scaloni
Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina’s national team and one of Messi’s most influential coaches, may be a candidate for Inter Miami. With two Copa Américas and the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory, he has already enjoyed tremendous success with Messi, cementing Messi’s legacy in the World Cup.
A move away from the national team looks likely, even if it would be a step down from leading La Albiceleste since 2018 to join MLS. He acknowledged in November 2024 that he was thinking about leaving before the 2026 World Cup. However, he will lead Argentina to the competition and might decide his future after the event.
1. Marcelo Gallardo
Marcelo Gallardo has never been Messi’s coach. Gallardo has led River Plate to the 2015 and 2018 Copa Libertadores, runners-up in the 2015 Club World Cup, and also won the 2017 and 2019 Supercopa Argentina crowns. The now 52-year-old led River Plate to the Primera América championship in 2021.
Additionally, he had previously been connected to the Herons. According to sources from 2019, he had a conversation with the team before they hired Phil Neville as their first head coach. Inter Miami may, however, pursue him for the manager position this time.
Who could be the next Inter Miami manager?
There isn’t a favourite yet to take over the job.
Where do the club stand in the league?
They are third in the MLS Eastern Conference.
What was the reason behind Javier Mascherano’s departure?
He cited “personal reasons.”
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.