Dec 3 Inter Miami CF Hire Javier Mascherano As Next Manager | OneFootball

A few days late here, but another MLS club has found their next Manager heading into 2025. Inter Miami CF have hired former Barcelona and Argentina legend Javier Mascherano as their next Manager after the departure of Tata Martino. Two weeks ago I dropped an article giving my thoughts around the departure of Martino that you can find here. The 40 year old Mascherano departed his role within the Argentina FA where he was managing the youth national team sides. Between his time managing the Argentina U23s and U20s, Mascherano went 28 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses in 50 games in charge. During this time he was given the opportunity to manage Argentina during the Olympics.

Many were saying that Xavi was the next ideal Manager after Tata Martino for this role, I was saying it too. To be fair to Inter Miami, if it wasn’t going to be Tata or Xavi, Javier Mascherano is the name that makes the most sense on the list. He is a Barcelona legend, similar to what Tata Martino was and obviously similar to many of the stars on this roster. Mascherano played with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. They know him, he knows them, and there is a level of trust there between everyone. Outside of the Barcelona connection, Mascherano was in charge of the youth sides for one of the best modern football associations. That is the type of soccer mind that is deserving of getting a chance at being a Manager of a club team.

The final piece as to why I love this move, his connection to South American talents and knowledge of MLS. Now, I am sure that Mascherano wasn’t studying MLS week in and week out. But, he was familiar with some of it’s players. The most used player for Mascherano during his tenure with Argentina? Thiago Almada. He also used and called in the likes of Federico Redondo, Julian Aude, Julian Fernandez, Tomas Aviles, Facundo Farias, Ramiro Enrique, Agustin Ojeda, Rocco Rios Novo, and Pedro de la Vega. He knows and has connections to some of the best young talents within this league and can use his “swing” to call guys in like that.

My only concern about this hire is, what if it doesn’t work? What if the level of respect and internal strife continues in that locker room, similar to what we were getting reports around with the locker room under Tata Martino. This job isn’t a tactical masterclass, this job is getting the former Barcelona stars on the field all while developing the youth around them. With that, this job also entails keeping that locker room (especially Lionel Messi) happy. Now, I think he can do it in 2025 and beyond… but my concern is if this team doesn’t raise MLS Cup and/or CONCACAF Champions Cup next season. I feel like from there, internal strife could continue.