Back to Headlines
Sports
Apr 14, 2026

Javier Mascherano Steps Down as Inter Miami Head Coach After Historic MLS Triumph

AI Summary
Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano resigns as Inter Miami manager months after guiding the club to its first MLS Cup, citing personal reasons; sporting director Guillermo Hoyos assumes interim charge as the team navigates a shaky title defence and recent continental elimination.

Javier Mascherano announced his resignation as Inter Miami’s head coach, ending a brief but landmark tenure that delivered the franchise’s inaugural MLS Cup.

In an official club statement, Mascherano cited “personal reasons” for his departure and confirmed that his entire coaching staff would also leave the organization.

Inter Miami named sporting director Guillermo Hoyos as the interim head coach, tasking him with stabilising a side that has already shown signs of strain.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments,” Mascherano said. “I will always carry with me the memory of our first star, and wherever I am, I will continue to wish the club all the best moving forward.”

Mascherano arrived ahead of the 2025 season with limited senior‑team experience, having only coached Argentina’s youth national sides. Nevertheless, he and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi steered Inter Miami to a 2‑1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, securing the club’s first MLS title.

The defending champions have stumbled early in the new campaign: they have drawn their first two matches at the brand‑new Nu Stadium and recorded three wins in five league fixtures. The most glaring setback came in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where Miami were eliminated by Nashville SC in the Round of 16.

Off the pitch, Mascherano inherited a roster in transition. Long‑time stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retired, while Luis Suárez has been relegated to the bench following the high‑profile signing of Germán Berterame, who has yet to find his scoring rhythm.