Javier Mascherano out as Inter Miami manager in stunning twist

Head coach Javier Mascherano has departed Inter Miami, the membership introduced on Tuesday, in a stunning twist for the reigning MLS Cup champions.

Two sources inform TheAthletic that Guillermo Hoyos may take over as interim head coach. Hoyos led coaching on Monday, sources say.

Mascherano, certainly one of Lionel Messi’s closest associates from their time with the Argentina nationwide crew and Barcelona, ​​was named Miami head coach in November 2024, after the membership’s elimination from the playoffs. In his lone full season in cost, Mascherano led the membership to its first MLS Cup title. He was lauded for moving away from Luis Suárez in Miami’s starting XI in the postseason (a alternative first compelled through suspension, however then maintained afterwards), as an alternative flanking Messi with Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti in order to unlock the total potential of the crew’s assault. It labored, with Miami scoring essentially the most targets in a single postseason (20) in MLS historical past.

This season, although, Miami has performed under expectation, already having been eradicated in the Concacaf Champions Cup by Nashville SC in the spherical of 16 and drawn having each of its video games at Nu Stadium, the club’s new arena that opened on April 4.

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retired this winter, however Miami utterly reloaded for 2026. Miami set a brand new club-record switch with a $15 million deal to signal Mexico worldwide ahead Germán Berterame, as properly as revamping the protection with additions of reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and former Houston star middle again Micael.

Even so, Miami is 3-1-3 via seven matches, sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference with only a +1 aim differential.

Mascherano makes for the third MLS teaching change early into the 2026 season, following Orlando City’s firing of Óscar Pareja and CF Montréal’s ouster of Marco Donadel.