Inter Miami are looking for a new head coach as Mascherano parts ways with the team for ‘personal reasons’
Javier Mascherano has sent shockwaves through the MLS by announcing his immediate resignation as Inter Miami head coach just seven matches into the 2026 campaign.
The 41-year-old Argentine, who led the Herons through a period of immense global scrutiny and historic milestones, cited “personal reasons” for his sudden departure.
Mascherano leaves the club in a stable competitive position, with the team currently boasting a 3-1-3 record for the season following a recent 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls at the newly inaugurated Nu Stadium.
In an emotional farewell statement, the former midfielder expressed his gratitude to the fans and the hierarchy for the “unforgettable moments” shared during his tenure, specifically referencing the club’s “first star” as a memory he will carry forever.
The resignation marks the end of an era for the Argentine core in South Florida and leaves the club’s leadership scrambling to find a successor who can maintain the delicate harmony of a star-studded dressing room.
Inter Miami’s hierarchy is now tasked with appointing a replacement who can effectively manage a squad led by Leo Messi.
Given the club’s history of appointing figures with close personal and professional ties to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, such as Gerardo “Tata” Martino and Mascherano, here’s a look at five high-profile candidates who could succeed the Argentine coach.
Five potential candidates for Inter Miami
Ernesto Valverde
The current Athletic Club coach enjoys a famously strong relationship with Messi from their time together at Barcelona, where they secured multiple domestic titles.
While Valverde has officially confirmed he will leave the Basque club at the end of the current European season in June, his preference has traditionally been to remain in Spain, making an immediate jump to MLS a tough job to sell.
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Mauricio Pochettino
A compatriot of Messi, Mauricio Pochettino has spent the last year in charge of the United States Men’s National Team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Having previously worked with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, his familiarity with the player’s requirements is unparalleled, though his current commitment to the USMNT makes a dual role or an immediate departure highly improbable before August.
Xavi Hernández
The legendary former Barcelona midfielder has been out of work since his departure from the Catalan giants in 2024. While he was heavily linked with an appointment to lead Morocco at the upcoming World Cup, the opportunity to reunite with former teammate Messi in a less pressured environment could prove an enticing alternative to the international stage.
Marcelo Gallardo
The most successful manager in River Plate‘s history is currently a free agent after stepping down from his second stint with the Millonario in February 2026.
El Muñeco was recently spotted attending matches in Spain, fuelling rumours of a move to LaLiga, but his status as a fellow Argentine and his reputation for high-intensity attacking football make him a logical fit for the Miami project.
Lionel Scaloni
As the man who masterminded Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Scaloni’s bond with Messi is the most significant in modern football. While he remains fully focused on leading the Argentina national team into the 2026 tournament, recent reports of doubts over his continuity post-World Cup could suggest that a move to the club level in Miami could be his next professional chapter.