Javier Mascherano’s introduction as Inter Miami’s head coach on Tuesday obtained off to a shaky begin. Battling a cough and pausing for sips of water, he took a couple of moments to settle in.
“Air conditioning in Miami,” he quipped. “It causes me problems.”
Fortunately, Inter Miami performs its matches outside. Mascherano, Lionel Messi’s former teammate, is now his coach. Hired final week to succeed Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the Argentine legend has already settled into his new function, gearing up for the group’s coaching camp set to kick off subsequent month.
“I am convinced I can do it,” Mascherano stated. “I have no doubt.”
Mascherano – Messi’s teammate with Barcelona and Argentina’s nationwide group – was employed after a brisk search that took just a few days to finish as soon as Martino knowledgeable Inter Miami he wasn’t returning for private causes.
In reality, Mascherano’s path to Inter Miami began 5 years in the past.
The group initially recruited him in August 2019 in what Inter Miami considered as a two-pronged deal. He would play for the membership in 2020, its inaugural season, then take over as a coach of the membership’s academy the next yr. It didn’t come collectively then; the timing wasn’t proper.
Fast ahead to now, and Mascherano is lastly with the membership.
“I always thought he would be an amazing mentor,” managing proprietor Jorge Mas stated. “Five years later, he’s here. It’s fate.”
Martino stepped down after 1.5 seasons, one the place the group gained the Leagues Cup in 2023 and broke the Major League Soccer mark for greatest regular-season document on the way in which to the Supporters’ Shield this season earlier than faltering within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“To be able to coach this club is a very ambitious project,” Mascherano stated.
Mascherano is 40, solely three years older than Inter Miami stars like Messi and Luis Suarez. He has longstanding relationships with not solely the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi but in addition Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets; the 5 have been teammates collectively at Barcelona.
Mascherano says it gained’t be a problem to transition from teammate and pal to teach.
“Not only do I have a relationship with Leo, I have three other players on this roster that I played with for a long time, and I have a relationship with. I’m not going to deny that,” Mascherano stated. “You separate things. One thing is work, one thing is friendship.”
Mascherano most just lately coached Argentina’s under-20 and Olympic groups; the nationwide federation launched him from the final two years of his contract to permit him to affix Inter Miami on a three-year deal.
“I’m very thankful to Argentina for understanding this is a great step for me and for allowing me to take it,” Mascherano stated.
Martino arrived at Inter Miami with a protracted teaching resume. He was an MLS Cup winner, a World Cup coach – for each Messi and Mascherano with Argentina – and had many years of expertise.
Mascherano is comparatively untested on the worldwide stage. However, he has the second-most worldwide appearances of any participant in Argentina’s historical past – solely Messi has extra – and famous that enjoying for the nationwide group, plus teaching on the youth stage, has given him a deep understanding of methods to deal with stress and expectations.
“Obviously, people in the world are going to have opinions, and it’s a valid opinion, of course,” Mascherano stated. “But I am convinced that I am capable of coaching this team.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com