Messi and Mascherano played together both in Barcelona and on the Argentina national team. Now the 40-year-old former midfielder will succeed Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who resigned as coach for personal reasons.
Mascherano began his coaching career in charge of Argentina’s U20 and then U23 national teams. He led the team in the Paris Olympics last summer, where Argentina were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.
Mascherano has signed a three-year contract.
He is reunited not only with Messi. The Inter squad also includes Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez, all of whom were Barcelona players while Mascherano was there.
Jorge Mas of Inter’s ownership group, which also includes David Beckham, says Messi was asked for advice in the search for Martino’s successor.
– The job requires a person with enough experience to be able to get the best out of our unique collection of talents, and Javier has acquired experience that no one can match, says Mas.
– It is an honor and a privilege to lead a club like Inter Miami, and I will try to make the most of it, says Mascherano.
This year, Inter set a points record in the MLS regular season, but stumbled over the first hurdle in the playoffs. Next year, the team will not only play in the MLS, the League Cup and the Concacaf Champions League, but also in the Club World Cup.
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