Gerardo Martino Returns as Lionel Messi’s New Coach at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi Set to Reunite with Gerardo Martino as His New Coach

June 19, 2023, 9:54 p.m. (Updated: June 19, 2023, 9:58 p.m.)

Lionel Messi has received confirmation about his new coach. It turns out to be none other than Gerardo Martino, a familiar face to Messi. This will mark their third collaboration, following their time together at Barcelona and the National Team.

Inter Miami Finds Replacement for Phil Neville Amid Messi Buzz

Amidst the excitement surrounding Messi’s move, Inter Miami wasted no time in finding a replacement for Phil Neville, who was dismissed due to poor results. On June 7, it was announced that the Florida franchise has appointed an old acquaintance of David Beckham, Javier Morales, to take charge and provide Messi with a fresh experience.

Martino, who had previously received an offer to manage Boca Juniors, will now have a new opportunity at the club level. Despite a disappointing performance as the manager of the Mexican national team, where he achieved a 67.68% win rate but failed to advance past the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Martino’s tenure in Major League Soccer was highly successful. During his time with Atlanta United, he won the MLS Cup and achieved an impressive record of 40 wins, 17 draws, and 17 losses in 74 games.

Messi, Martino, and Their Third Journey Together

This reunion between the 60-year-old coach and the captain of the National Team marks their third collaboration, having previously shared a dressing room on two occasions.

Their first encounter took place in 2013 when Tata was appointed as the coach of Barcelona. Despite winning the Spanish Super Cup and maintaining a 74.01% win rate, Martino was eventually let go at the end of the season.

Shortly after, on August 12, 2014, Martino was announced as the new coach of the Argentine National Team, succeeding Alejandro Sabella. During his time with the national team, Martino made his mark by achieving positive results and witnessing outstanding individual performances. However, the team suffered consecutive defeats in the finals of the 2015 and 2016 Copa América against Chile, Messi temporarily retired from international duty, and club restrictions prevented players from participating in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, ultimately leading to Martino’s departure.

Possible Reunion with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who recently ended their memorable spells at Barcelona, are currently in negotiations with Inter Miami as free agents. Busquets has received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia but is reportedly close to finalizing his move to Miami to reunite with Messi after two years.

Advanced talks are also underway for Jordi Alba to join the MLS. Alba, another Spaniard with a close relationship with Messi and fond memories of their time together at Barcelona, could potentially be another familiar face in Miami.

Will see Lionel Messi and Gerardo Martino working together for the third time in their careers. They previously collaborated at Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Martino, who had previously received an offer to manage Boca Juniors, has now been appointed as the new coach for Inter Miami. This move comes amidst the buzz surrounding Messi’s transfer and Inter Miami’s need for a replacement for Phil Neville. Despite his disappointing performance as the manager of the Mexican national team, where he failed to advance past the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Martino had a successful tenure in Major League Soccer, winning the MLS Cup with Atlanta United. This new opportunity will provide Messi with a fresh experience and the chance to work with a familiar coach once again.

What benefits does Gerardo Martino bring to Inter Miami as their new coach, despite his underperformance with the Mexican national team?

Gerardo Martino brings several benefits to Inter Miami as their new coach, despite his underperformance with the Mexican national team. Here are some of the reasons why he could still be a valuable addition to the club:

1. Experience and Expertise: Martino has over 20 years of coaching experience, including successful stints with Barcelona and the Argentine national team. He has a deep understanding of the game and tactical knowledge that can be beneficial in a league like Major League Soccer (MLS).

2. Player Development: Martino has a track record of developing young players and helping them reach their full potential. Inter Miami, being a newly formed club, would benefit from his ability to nurture and improve the skills of their younger players.

3. Tactical Flexibility: Martino is known for his ability to adapt his tactics to different opponents and game situations. This flexibility can be valuable in a competitive league like the MLS, where teams have varying styles of play.

4. Leadership and Motivation: Martino has a commanding presence and is known for his ability to inspire and motivate his players. His strong leadership qualities can help create a positive team culture and foster a winning mentality within Inter Miami.

5. International Connections: With his experience coaching national teams, Martino has developed a network of contacts and resources that could benefit Inter Miami in terms of scouting and player acquisitions.

6. Fresh Start: Despite his underperformance with the Mexican national team, starting anew with Inter Miami can provide Martino with a fresh opportunity to prove himself. He may bring a renewed sense of determination and motivation to succeed in his new role.

Overall, while his tenure with the Mexican national team may not have yielded the desired results, Gerardo Martino still possesses qualities and experiences that can be valuable to Inter Miami as their new coach.