After seven match days, the defending MLS champions are without a coach. Successful coach Javier Mascherano is leaving Inter Miami with immediate effect.
The club from Florida announced the unscheduled departure on Tuesday evening – and included a message from the outgoing coach. He had decided to end his tenure “for personal reasons”. But not without thanking all those who have accompanied him on his successful journey.
The words of Mascherano, who emphasized that his first coaching position will always be something special for him: “Wherever I am, I will continue to wish the club only the best. I have no doubt that the club will continue to celebrate success in the future.”
Mascherano’s “special place” in Miami
The coach himself is also likely to be remembered. At least according to Jorge Mas, co-owner of Inter Miami. “Javier will forever be part of the history of this club and have a special place in the Inter Miami family,” he said in praise of the Argentine. After all, Mascherano had not only played “a key role” on the way to “unforgettable successes such as winning the MLS Cup”, but had also stood out as a role model of character through “his dedication and daily work”. Inter therefore respect Mascherano’s decision and wish him “nothing but the best for his personal and professional future”.
In his now past chapter, long-time Barca professional Mascherano celebrated a reunion with numerous colleagues from his Catalan days in Miami – and did so very successfully. Not only did the team of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba become US champions for the first time in 2025 against Thomas Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps, but the club also set impressive records along the way. Miami scored 101 goals in the entire 2025 MLS season, 20 of which came at the end of the regular season – a record in each case.
Hoyos takes over
Mascherano’s short-term successor will be his compatriot Guillermo Hoyos. The veteran has already coached teams in several South American countries and worked at FC Barcelona in the legendary La Masia youth academy. Most recently, he was sports director at Inter. A role that will now be taken over by the current Chief Soccer Officer Alberto Marrero, so that Hoyos can concentrate fully on his role as head coach.
