Inter Miami appoint Gerardo Martino ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival
Inter Miami appoint Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino as their new head coach as he reunites with Lionel Messi again. He coached Messi with both Barcelona and Argentina’s national team.
Messi recently announced that he will join Inter Miami after snubbing a move to Barcelona. He will make his first appearance for Inter Miami on 21 July.
Tata Martino re-unite with Messi and Busquets
Martino also coached recently signed midfielder Sergio Busquets when he was in Barcelona. The 60-year-old worked alongside Messi and Busquets in 2013/14. He also coached Messi for two years with the Argentina national team, culminating in two Copa América final appearances.
Martino’s hiring was widely reported before the team made the announcement. He coached Atlanta United to an MLS championship in 2018, winning the league’s coach of the year that season.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said, “Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose career speaks for itself.”
“We are confident that his achievements and experience as a coach will inspire our team and excite the fans, and we are excited to see the impact he will have on and off the pitch.”
Inter Miami appoint Gerardo Martino to replace Phil Neville
The 60-year-old will replace ex-Manchester United defender Phil Neville, who, was sacked on June 1. The Argentine has been out of work since leaving Mexico after their exit at the 2022 World Cup group stage.
However, Martino and Messi haven’t found success together. He managed Barcelona for one season and went trophyless. He was later sacked by the board after poor results.
When he coached Messi in the national team, they lost two Copa America finals. But, the duo will have another chance to win silverware with Inter Miami.
It will be a third time that seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and Martino have worked together.
Inter Miami sit bottom of the MLS standings with 13 losses from 18 fixtures in 2023, and Javier Morales has been in temporary charge since Neville’s departure.
