Javier Mascherano steps down as Inter Miami head coach
Inter Miami CF announced on Tuesday that head coach Javier Mascherano has resigned from his position with immediate effect. The club stated the 41-year-old Argentine is leaving his first senior managerial role "for personal reasons." Mascherano's departure comes just months after he guided the team, which includes his former international teammate Lionel Messi, to the 2025 MLS Cup title.
In a statement published on the club's website, Mascherano expressed his gratitude. "First, I want to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee for their efforts, but above all the players, who allowed us to live unforgettable moments," he said. "I also want to thank the fans and La Familia, because none of this would have been possible without them." The club's own announcement described Mascherano as a "champion" who will "always be part of the Inter Miami CF family."
Mascherano, a former defensive midfielder for Barcelona, Liverpool, and the Argentine national team, took over as Inter Miami's head coach in late 2024. His tenure culminated in the franchise's first MLS championship last December, a significant achievement that marked the club's first major trophy since the high-profile arrival of Messi in 2023. According to the announcement, sporting director Guillermo Hoyos will take temporary charge of the first team for the upcoming matches while the club searches for a permanent successor.
The resignation introduces a period of uncertainty for the reigning champions midway through the 2026 season. Mascherano had been tasked with building a dynasty around Messi and managing a squad of other high-profile veterans. His intimate understanding of Messi's game, forged over years playing together for Argentina and at Barcelona, was considered a major asset in maximizing the forward's impact in MLS. The club now faces the challenge of finding a new manager who can maintain the team's competitive edge and manage its star-studded roster.
For Mascherano, the move ends his first foray into head coaching after previously serving as an assistant for the Argentine national team. His decision to step away for personal reasons cuts short a promising start to his managerial career, which began with the ultimate domestic success in American soccer. The search for his replacement will be a critical process for Inter Miami's ownership and front office as they aim to continue their project of establishing the club as a dominant force in the league.
