Javier Mascherano said the “privilege” of coaching former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi was a key factor in his decision to join Inter Miami as their new head coach.
Mascherano was appointed as the club's new boss after Gerardo Martino stepped down from his position following the Herons' early exit from the MLS play-offs.
Martino cited 'personal reasons' after leaving the team, which he led to Leagues Cup glory shortly after his arrival last year, while also helping Miami set a new MLS single-season points record of 74 as they won the Supporters ' Conquered Shield of 2024.
Mascherano played alongside Messi at Barcelona for eight years and won 19 major trophies, including two Champions League titles, with the former midfielder citing a reunion with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as key to his decision.
“The privilege of coaching Messi,” said Mascherano when asked why he joined the club.
“It is clear that players of the caliber of my former teammates such as Luis (Suarez), (Sergio) Busquets, Jordi (Alba) and others I have had the privilege of getting to know, especially the Argentinians.
“And a number of young players from the youth academy, such as Noah Allen and David Ruiz, who have potential. Because I have worked with young players for a long time, I like to continue to have this opportunity.”
Bienvenido a casa @Mascherano pic.twitter.com/N7XeniAJCu
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 2, 2024
However, the 40-year-old is embarking on his first senior management role after being solely in charge of Argentina's youth teams, most recently at the Paris Olympics when he led them to the quarter-finals of the competition before losing to defeated finalists France.
Many supporters have attributed Mascherano's arrival to Messi's influence, but the new boss is ready to silence the skeptics as he takes the reins with little managerial experience under his belt.
“People in the world can have their opinion, and it is obviously valid, but I am convinced that I am capable of coaching the team,” Mascherano said.
“I'm very excited that I can do this. I can do it. I have no doubt about it. Sometimes, in football, [talk of] 'experience' doesn't make much sense.
“Besides the fact that I have been coaching for three years and coaching the youth teams of the Argentina national team, [where] I've always been under pressure.
“I am also supported by a playing career of almost twenty years and everything I have experienced.”
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