With Messi's backing, Inter Miami hired inexperienced Mascherano. Will it backfire?

Inter Miami announced Javier Mascherano on Nov. 26 as the team's newest head coach.

The appointment came after Gerardo "Tata" Martino announced his resignation due to "personal reasons" less than two weeks later .

Co-owner Jorge Mas wanted to find a coach who could handle the locker room and fulfill high expectations.

Mascherano led Barcelona to 13 trophies, including five LaLiga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and two FIFA Club World Cup titles.

He was named as an integral factor in the decisions of Gonzalo Luján , Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia to sign with Inter Miami .

Messi 's relationship with Messi , the team's star forward and captain, paved the path.

Inter Miami won the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy and the single-season points record in 2024 .

Inter Miami hired Javier Mascherano to manage former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi , Sergio Busquets , Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba .

Martino took over the club from Phil Neville in the summer of 2023 and immediately transformed Miami from bottom-of-the-table team to cup winners.