Javier Mascherano resigns as Inter Miami coach, months after winning MLS Cup title

Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald on Apr 14, 2026

Published in Soccer

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MIAMI — In a shocking and abrupt move, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down seven games into the season and four months after leading the team to its first MLS Cup title.

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

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments.

“I also want to thank the fans and La Familia, because none of this would have been possible without them. 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. I have no doubt that the club will continue to achieve success in the future. Sending you all a big hug and thank you for everything.”

Under Mascherano’s leadership, in his first year as coach of a professional club, the team had a record-breaking 2025 season. Inter Miami scored a combined 101 goals across regular-season and postseason play, the most in a single season in MLS history, including a postseason record 20 goals, while competing in an unprecedented 58 matches across all competitions.

On the international stage, Inter Miami made history at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first MLS side to reach the knockout rounds and the first Concacaf team to defeat European opposition in an official international match.

So far this season, Inter Miami has three wins, three ties and one loss and is in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, one point behind second place.

While that does not seem like a bad record with 27 games and eight months remaining in the MLS season, there is intense pressure from management and fans to win, and back-to-back ties in the club’s new $350 million Nu Stadium fell short of expectations.

Also, club management made the Champions Cup a major point of emphasis, and Miami exited in the Round of 16 after a pair of ties against Nashville SC, which advanced because away goals were the tiebreaker. Mascherano knew that expectations were extremely high for this team.

After the 2-2 tie against Red Bull New York on Saturday, he said. “We all know the demands on this team. We are expected to win every game we play. We wanted six points out of six from these last two games and got just two, which is too little. We have a lot of areas to improve, starting with me, as I am responsible as manager. But we also are doing a lot of good things and there is no reason to see everything in a negative light.

“There is a long season ahead and the best mirror we can look at of ourselves is last year. We struggled early, but found the inner strength to turn things around and reach the top. We have to do that again.”

Mascherano is the second Inter Miami coach to step down for personal reasons in the past year and a half. Tata Martino, who led Inter Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the best regular season in MLS history, resigned at the end of that season, citing personal reasons. He did not coach last season and this year returned to MLS with Atlanta United.

Mascherano’s coaching staff that arrived with him in January 2025 will also part ways with the club. Guillermo Hoyos, a longtime associate of Messi’s from his youth days in Barcelona, will be the interim head coach for the upcoming matches. Hoyos, 62, last January had his role expanded from director of player development and methodology of the second team to being directly involved in scouting and roster construction of the first team.

He took over that role after the departure of sporting director Chris Henderson, who went to Atlanta United, and director of scouting Mark Prizant, who is at San Diego FC.

Hoyos played professionally and has managed clubs in various countries including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Greece and Cyprus. He also has experience in youth development, including his time at FC Barcelona.

Chief soccer officer Alberto Marrero will assume the duties of sporting director.

There are already rumors swirling from Europe that former Barcelona legend and coach Xavi could be considered to replace Mascherano. He and Messi spent 11 seasons together at FC Barcelona, winning 24 trophies. They won seven titles in LaLiga, four Champions League titles and two Copa del Rey trophies.

“Javier will forever be part of this club’s history and will always hold a special place in the Inter Miami CF family,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “Not only for being a key part of unforgettable achievements, such as winning the MLS Cup and the team’s historic performance at the Club World Cup, but also for the example he set through his dedication and daily work leading the team. We respect his decision and are deeply grateful for everything he contributed, wishing him nothing but the very best in his professional and personal future.”

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