Javier Mascherano Steps Down as Inter Miami Coach
Defending champion Inter Miami CF lost its head coach Tuesday after Javier Mascherano announced he was leaving the club in an unexpected turn of events.
Mascherano said he was stepping down for personal reasons in a statement. Mascherano’s contract was set to run through the 2027 MLS season. Inter Miami’s former sporting director, Guillermo Hoyos, was appointed as interim head coach.
Mascherano joined Inter Miami in late 2024. In his first season, he led the team to its first MLS Cup title, which came after an Eastern Conference Championship. Under Mascherano, the team broke the MLS’ single-season goal-scoring record, with 101 goals across 58 games. The side also logged significant runs in the FIFA Club World Cup, the Leagues Cup and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
“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 said in the statement. “I have no doubt that the club will continue to achieve success in the future.”
Inter Miami (3-1-3) hasn’t been dominant this season. The Herons kicked off the year with a 3-0 loss to Son Heung-min and LAFC. Miami now sits at No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with a 13 points.
The team also recently unveiled its new home base, Nu Stadium. The Herons have played two matches at the stadium since April 4, but have failed to produce a win in front of the home crowd. But despite the struggles, Mascherano’s departure comes as a surprise for a team that held up the MLS Cup trophy just a few months ago.
“We respect his decision and are deeply grateful for everything he contributed [and are] wishing him nothing but the very best in his professional and personal future,” Miami’s managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement.
According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, the decision was made over the weekend. Bogert also tweeted that Hoyos led the team’s practice today. Hoyos hasn’t coached during his time at Inter Miami, but has served as coach for several clubs in the past as well as for the Bolivian national team.
Inter Miami will now begin the search for its fifth permanent head coach. With the World Cup break steadily approaching, the club didn’t hint at whether a permanent head coach will be chosen before or after the break. It would rather just focus on now.
“Javier will forever be part of this Club’s history,” Mas said. “[He] will always hold a special place in the Inter Miami CF family.”
Category: Inter Miami, Soccer
