Key Takeaways
- Javier Mascherano has left his job as Inter Miami head coach only four months after lifting the MLS Cup.
- Argentine legend cites personal reasons; whole back-room team exits with him.
- Guillermo Hoyos, the man who first spotted Lionel Messi at Barcelona’s academy, takes over on an interim basis.
Inter Miami have announced the sudden departure of head coach Javier Mascherano, ending his short reign just 120 days after he guided the club to their first MLS title.
The 41-year-old Argentine, who once shared a dressing room with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and for the national side, told the club he was stepping away for “personal reasons”. Every member of his coaching team has also left.
Club statement gave no further detail, but revealed that Guillermo Hoyos will lead training and pick the team for the coming matches. Hoyos, 64, worked at Barcelona’s academy and has long been credited with identifying Messi’s talent when the forward was a skinny 16-year-old.
Messi later called the veteran coach his “football dad”. Now the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will play under him again as Miami try to keep their season on track.
The side sit third in the Eastern Conference with three wins, one draw and three defeats, but they crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup early this year.
Mascherano said goodbye in a short message released by the club: “I thank everyone at Inter Miami for the trust and the unforgettable moments we shared.”
Chairman Jorge Mas added: “Javier’s name is written in our history. We respect his choice and wish him the best.”
Off the pitch, chief soccer officer Alberto Marrero will combine his current role with the duties of sporting director, the post Hoyos held until Tuesday.
The upheaval comes less than a fortnight after Miami played their first two matches in the club’s new 21,000-seat stadium near the city’s international airport. Both fixtures ended in draws.