Inter Miami announced on Tuesday that Javier Mascherano is their new head coach, succeeding Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped down last week due to personal reasons.. Miami stated Mascherano’s full coaching staff will be announced at a later date. The club posted on social media: “Bienvenido, Jefe Argentina and FC Barcelona legend Javier @Mascherano has been named as our new head coach! Welcome to the Miami dream ”

Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami, said in the announcement: “This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize 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, and even has had direct coaching experience with Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farías, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi. 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 fútbol in North America.” 

Mascherano had a long playing career for such clubs as River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham United, Liverpool and Barcelona, where he won five La Liga titles, as well as the Champions League, UEFA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup championship twice. During eight seasons with Barcelona, Mascherano was part of a Barça side that also featured current Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez. He also represented Argentina 147 times at the international level, playing in four World Cups and five Copa América tournaments alongside Messi.

Mascherano signed with Miami through the 2027 MLS season. The 40-year-old Mascherano comes to MLS after coaching Argentina’s U-20 and U-23 men’s teams since 2021. Most recently, he guided Argentina to the knockout stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer.

Editorial credit: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com