Inter Miami hires Javier Mascherano as new head coach

Inter Miami will have one of the rising head coaches at the helm ahead of the 2025 MLS season.

Javier Mascherano has been hired as the Herons new manager, the club announced Tuesday. Mascherano signed a three-year contract with Inter Miami, making the move from the Argentina U-20 and Olympic teams.

“This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent – from our global superstars, to our burgeoning Homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between,” said Managing Owner Jorge Mas. “Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level; he has the blend of skills and experience we were looking for, and even has had direct coaching experience with Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farías, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi.

“We believe Javier is an important addition to our Club as we continue on our quest to be among the world’s elite, setting a new standard for fútbol in North America,” Mas added.

Mascherano took over the Argentina U-20 national team in December 2021 and proceeded to manage in multiple competitions. He led the Argentinian Olympic Team in Paris last summer, while also coaching at the 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup, 2022 South American Games, and the 2023 South American U-20 Championship.

An Argentina star during his playing days, Mascherano is well known for his spells at English Premier League giants Liverpool and La Liga heavyweights Barcelona. He won two UEFA Champions League titles, five LaLiga titles, five Copa del Rey titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and three Supercopa de España titles.

The San Lorenzo native earned 147 caps with Argentina, which are the second-most in the national team’s history. Lionel Messi, who Mascherano will manage in 2025, sits first with 191 caps.

Mascherano’s hiring by Inter Miami will reunite him with Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all of whom he played with at Barcelona.

Inter Miami lifted the 2024 Supporters’ Shield but were eliminated by Atlanta United in the MLS Cup Playoffs.