Javier Mascherano Is Set to Become Inter Miami’s New Coach
The Former Barca Player and Argentine Legend Is Set to Coach His Close Friend Lionel Messi
Messi’s Team
Inter Miami, aka Leo Messi’s team, needed three days to find a new head coach to lead them in their soccer games early next year after former Barcelona, Argentina, Mexico, and Atlanta United HC Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino stepped down from the post due to personal reasons.
Major soccer news sites have started reporting that Javier Mascherano, Messi’s former teammate in Barcelona and Argentina and the Argentine U20 manager, is set to take over the Herons in January 2025, once the team gets back together for the upcoming season’s training camp.
🚨🇺🇸 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
As Inter prepares to bring in yet another former Barca alumni, will Masche step up and guide the team to its first title-winning season since 2023?
Can Anybody Say Barcelona Family Reunion In South Beach?
Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—all former FC Barcelona legends and now Inter Miami stars—are likely getting the party streamers and welcome signs ready, as Mascherano’s arrival shifts from mere soccer rumors to reality.
Inter Miami 🤝 getting the Barcelona band back together 💕😵 pic.twitter.com/XYe4jDG4iR
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 22, 2024
Mascherano, known in the football world as El Jefecito for his strong leadership and playing style on the field, will have his first true test at 40 years old. He will lead a team stacked to the brim with former teammates and friends in a league that’s continuing to grow in talent and competitiveness.
With the team surely going on a preseason international tour, followed by a 34-game season and playing in June 2025’s Club World Cup, it’d be good to let Mascherano in on Inter Miami’s schedule.
What Will Mascherano Have to Fix in Miami?
First and most importantly, Mascherano’s biggest task will be fixing the team’s broken culture. We’re talking about a squad with a who’s who of soccer legends. Any soccer betting odds fan’s dream is back.
But who are we kidding here? Names aside, Inter has no real competitive edge to stand out in the MLS right now. Following the team’s reeling upset against Atlanta in last season’s MLS best-of-three round 1 playoff series, it’s clear that this team needs a facelift, especially on defense, one that Mascherano could spearhead.
As a @LFC midfielder who loves to tackle, it’s no surprise that Wataru Endo idolised Javier Mascherano growing up! 💪
Click to watch the full episode of @EASPORTSFC Uncut 🎥
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 21, 2024
One of the new coach’s first big decisions, which could severely shape the team’s future in 2025, is what to do about Suarez. Currently beefing with the team’s higher-ups over working out a new contract, the Argentine coach must decide whether keeping the Uruguayan is worth the effort.
If you ask me, I say keep him. Even at 37 years old, when in his groove, the striker can become a thing of nightmares for opposing defenses and goalies. As long as Messi’s net worth and joy of kicking the ball around with his buddies are not deterred, keeping Suarez could turn into a positive in Mascherano’s first season.
Afterward, again, fixing the team’s defense and leading the team to its first MLS Cup win in history will be the biggest task ahead, but for now, let’s just wait until El Jefecito shows up, inks his name on the deal, and gets to work.
