Javier Mascherano ‘to be Inter Miami’s next manager’ with ex-Premier League star to reunite with Lionel Messi

Javier Mascherano has reportedly been named the new manager of Inter Miami.

It means the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder will be reunited with fellow countryman Lionel Messi in Florida next season.

Mascherano has reportedly signed a long-term contract with the MLS franchise, according to Cesar Luis Merlo.

He will also leave his position as manager of the Argentina under-20 team, where he coaches a number of young talents from Inter Miami.

The 40-year-old joined Liverpool in 2006 and spent four seasons at Anfield, where he was part of a devastating midfield trio that also included Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.

Mascherano played with Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets during his eight seasons at Barcelona. During his time in Spain, Mascherano won five LaLiga titles and the Champions League twice.

Gerardo Martino resigned earlier this week after a disappointing end to the season that saw them knocked out of the play-offs in the first round.

Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular season record in Major League Soccer history this season, made the decision for personal reasons.

The 61-year-old Martino – who also coached Messi at Barcelona and the Argentina national team before reuniting with him in South Florida – gave no outward indication that he was thinking about leaving when the season ended earlier this month.

Inter Miami was 26-9-12 in MLS regular season play in the Martino era, plus won its first two trophies: the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters Shield as the top MLS regular season team this year.

Martino signed a deal with Inter Miami in June 2023 and took charge of his first match a month later after the process of obtaining his working documentation was completed.

His recruitment was one in a series of big moves for the club, along with the signings of Messi, Busquets, Alba and Suarez, among others.

Martino was hired after Inter Miami fired Phil Neville in June 2023.

Mascherano will likely have a hectic 2025. It is likely that the team will once again venture on an international pre-season tour, just like this season.

There is also the 34-match MLS slate and Inter Miami will also be one of the teams in the Club World Cup starting in June.

Inter Miami doesn't meet for training camp until January to start the 2025 season.