Lionel Messi's boss resigns immediately as old Barcelona teammate quits 'due to personal reasons'

Callum Vurley
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:36:47 +0000

Javier Mascherano has stepped down as Inter Miami boss after just over a year at the helm, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

The Argentine, who took charge of David Beckham's MLS outfit in late 2024, cited personal reasons for his decision to walk away.

"I want to let everyone know that, for personal reasons, I have decided to end my tenure as head coach of Inter Miami CF," Mascherano said in a statement.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone at the club, particularly the players who helped create "unforgettable moments" during his time in South Florida.

Mascherano's tenure proved remarkably successful, delivering the club's maiden MLS Cup triumph in 2025 alongside a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

His side was absolutely prolific in front of goal, netting 101 times across regular and postseason matches – a record-breaking tally for a single MLS campaign.

The Herons also made history on the global stage, becoming the first MLS club to reach the knockout round of the FIFA Club World Cup.

It's a legacy that few managers could match, particularly in such a short spell at the helm.

Mascherano won 38 of his 67 matches in charge, a solid record that included an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak heading into his departure.

His final match was Sunday's 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls, leaving the club in decent shape just seven games into the 2026 MLS season.

"I will always carry with me the memory of our first star, and wherever I am, I will continue to wish the Club all the best moving forward," he added.

"I have no doubt that the Club will continue to achieve success in the future."

Co-owner Jorge Mas paid tribute to the departing manager, saying Mascherano "will forever be part of this Club's history" and holds a special place in the Inter Miami family.

"We respect his decision and are deeply grateful for everything he contributed," Mas added.

Former professional footballer Guillermo Hoyos will step into the manager's role for upcoming fixtures.

Mascherano enjoyed a stellar playing career before moving into coaching, winning the Champions League twice and five La Liga titles at Barcelona.

He also made 139 appearances for Liverpool and had a brief, controversial stint at West Ham alongside Carlos Tevez, reuniting with former Barca teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba in Miami.