November 21 – After winning the Major League Soccer (MLS) Supporter’s Shield with a record points tally, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has resigned as the head coach of Inter Miami citing personal reasons.
Martino and his fellow Argentine, superstar, Lionel Messi garnered a record 74 points in the regular season. By winning the league (the Supporter’s Shield), but not the MLS Cup, Inter Miami was awarded a place in next year’s FIFA World Club Cup (WCC), where they will feature in the opening game which will be held in Miami.
Despite the success of the team in the regular season, Martino seemed powerless as Inter Miami were bounced out of the play-offs in the first round by an underdog and the #9 seed, Atlanta United. This loss sent shockwaves through the league as the team were favourites to win the tournament.
Martino, 61, was lured to Inter Miami in June 2023 by former England captain, and Miami co-owner, David Beckham. Much was expected of the man who led Atlanta to an MLS title in 2018.
Prior to his journey to South Beach, Martini had been the head coach of Mexico, however, a disastrous World Cup in 2022 where he failed to lead the Tricolor out of the group stage saw him released from the position.
The Supporter’s Shield was Martino’s second title as head coach of Inter Miami as they won the Leagues Cup last year, inspired by Messi, and his former Barcelona pals, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez.
The club has scheduled a news conference for Friday at which Inter Miami executives and Martino are expected to speak.
His loss will be a huge blow to the club as his relationship with Messi was cited as one of the reasons the GOAT left Paris Saint German (PSG) in 2023. With the clock ticking on Messi, and many speculating that the 37-year-old, who will turn 38 just before the WCC is contemplating retirement, the next head coach will have to deal with an aging front line and a major rebuild.
With the star power of Beckham, they’ll be no shortage of candidates to replace ‘Tata’ but will they have the ability to get the most out of Messi?
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734895308labto1734895308ofdlr1734895308owedi1734895308sni@o1734895308fni1734895308