Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano set to become Inter Miami head coach

The Herons parted ways with Tata Martino.

Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona colleagues Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba will all be reunited with Javier Mascherano, who will become Inter Miami’s next manager.

Following a heartbreaking playoff loss to Atlanta United, which witnessed the club lose the three-game series 3-2 in Game 3, the MLS Eastern Conference regular season winners made the decision to part ways with Tata Martino, capping their 2024 campaign.

This was a major setback for David Beckham’s team, who were the clear favourites to win the MLS Cup after their successful transfer spree. After signing striker Suarez in the summer, Messi, Busquets, and Alba helped the team amass 74 points from 34 games and score an incredible 79 goals.

Mascherano, who played for Liverpool, is going to lead Inter Miami, becoming the first former teammate of Messi to manage the MLS team. The two Argentines played together in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and had many enjoyable seasons with Barcelona.

🚨🇺🇸 Javier Mascherano will be the new head coach of Inter Miami, as @CLMerlo reports.Agreement done for the Argentine head coach who always had special friendship with Leo Messi.Documents being prepared. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/mOaXKIxzvk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 22, 2024

Mascherano started his coaching career in Argentina’s junior categories before being hired by Inter Miami. He will be managing the senior men’s club for the first time.

Before joining the Brazilian club Corinthians, Mascherano spent his youth career in the Argentine team River Plate. European clubs were impressed by his play at Corinthians. Later he and Carlos Tevez signed a controversial contract to join West Ham.

Mascherano only appeared in a few matches for the Hammers despite his obvious talent before moving to Liverpool, where his European career took off. After 139 games for the Anfield team, he moved to Barcelona, where he played with Suarez, Messi, Busquets, and Alba.

Mascherano was among the best centre-backs at Camp Nou, winning two UEFA Champions Leagues and five LaLiga championships. In addition, he won two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and five Copa del Reys.

Mascherano left Barcelona after eight years for Hebei China Fortune in China in 2018, a time when the nation was making significant investments in the best players in Europe. His stint in Asia was brief. He came back to Argentina in 2019 to finish his football career with Estudiantes.

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