David Beckham ‘appoints ex-Premier League star’ and former Lionel Messi team-mate as Inter Miami boss
DAVID BECKHAM has appointed former Prem star Javier Mascherano as Inter Miami’s new manager, according to reports.
Mascherano, 40, will now coach his ex-Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
The former Liverpool star has signed a long-term contract with the MLS franchise, according to transfer journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.
He will also leave his position as manager of Argentina‘s under-20 team, where he coaches a number of Inter Miami‘s young prospects.
It’s Mascherano’s first position at a senior men’s club as the Athletic report that documents are “being prepared”.
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino stepped down as gaffer just three days ago after Miami’s shock elimination from the first round of the MLS play-offs.
Miami lost the three-game series with a 3-2 defeat in Game 3 to Atlanta United, sealing their exit and ending their 2024 campaign.
Messi, Alba and Suarez played in all three games, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or scoring in the final loss.
Mascherano joined Liverpool in 2006 and played three seasons at Anfield where he formed part of an incredible midfield trio with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Mascherano then went onto win trophies with Messi, Suarez, Alba and Busquets during his eight seasons at Barcelona.
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During his time in Spain, Mascherano won five LaLiga titles and the Champions League twice.
He’s not the first former Prem star to take the reigns at Inter, with Phil Neville previously managing the club for two-and-a-half years before he was sacked by pal Beckham.
Martino, who guided Miami to the best regular season record in MLS history this season, made the decision to leave for personal reasons.
The 61-year-old Martino – who also coached Messi with Barca and Argentina‘s national team before reuniting with him in South Florida – gave no signs of leaving when the season ended earlier this month.
Miami were 26-9-12 in MLS regular season and won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters Shield in 2023.
Mascherano is likely to face a hectic 2025 as the team will likely venture out on another international pre-season tour.
There’s also the 34-match MLS slate and Miami will be one of the teams in the Club World Cup that starts in June as well.
But Miami won’t gather for training camp to start the 2025 season until January.
Mascherano is the latest ex-Messi teammate to join the MLS franchise – but the first in a coaching capacity.
He coached Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympics to a quarterfinal exit losing out to silver medallist France.
It’s likely to be the final year with all four of the team’s ex-Barcelona superstars.
Busquets and Messi see their deals expire after the 2025 season, Suarez is in negotiations over a one-year extension, and Alba has an option for a further year on his deal.