Nov 23, (V7N) - Inter Miami is poised to announce Lionel Messi’s new coach "in the coming days," as confirmed by the club's co-owner Jorge Mas on Friday. The announcement comes after the departure of Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who left the club due to personal reasons. Mas said that both he and fellow owner David Beckham have moved swiftly to identify a suitable replacement for Martino, with reports from Argentina indicating that Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Javier Mascherano, is the frontrunner for the role.

Mascherano, who is currently coaching Argentina's Under-20 national team, has long been considered a candidate due to his close relationship with Messi and other Inter Miami players like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez, all of whom played with him at Barcelona. While Mas did not confirm Mascherano’s appointment, he mentioned that Messi had been consulted about the decision.

"I spoke to Leo on Saturday after he and Tata spoke. I asked him what is important to you and what is important to get the best of our roster? How do we improve?" Mas said during a press conference. He emphasized that Messi’s comfort with the new coach is paramount, highlighting the advantage of familiarity with key players on the roster.

Martino's tenure at Inter Miami saw some major successes, including winning the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield. However, the season ended on a disappointing note with an early exit from the MLS Cup playoffs. Martino reflected on his time at the club, expressing gratitude for the opportunity but also noting that personal circumstances meant he needed to step away. He revealed, "For strictly personal reasons, I just have to leave Inter. We can't come back next year, I need to be in Rosario," indicating that he won’t be working for several months due to these personal matters.

Mascherano’s potential appointment represents a continuation of the strong Argentine influence at the club and aligns with Inter Miami's aim to bring in a coach who can play an attacking, ambitious style of football while maintaining good relationships with Messi and the squad. The next few days should provide clarity on whether Mascherano will indeed take the helm at the club.

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