Inter Miami has appointed Javier Mascherano as its new head coach. The former FC Barcelona midfielder succeeds Gerardo Martino, who resigned last week for personal reasons. Mascherano has signed a contract until 2027.
The 40-year-old Argentinian will become the trainer of his compatriot Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. The two played together in Barcelona’s midfield between 2010 and 2018. He also meets former teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami.
Mascherano lost the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil with Argentina. His most important achievement that tournament took place in the semi-finals against the Netherlands, when he stopped Arjen Robben from scoring with an ultimate tackle. The midfielder suffered an injury to his sphincter.
In the fall of 2020, Mascherano retired from football. He played 147 international matches for Argentina and also played for Corinthians, Memphis Depay’s current club and Liverpool. After his retirement, he started working as a youth coach for national youth teams. He coached Argentina’s Olympic team at the Paris Games. Argentina was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
Inter Miami was already eliminated this season in the first round of the play-offs for the American national title by Atlanta United (2-3). The team had finished at the top in the regular competition. The latter resulted in a place in the play-offs and a ticket for the World Cup for Clubs in the summer of 2025. The winner of the play-offs is crowned national champion, but does not earn a place for the World Cup.
BRON: ALL FOOTBALL/ FOTO
