WWhile it’s true that Inter Miami aren’t playing to their best ability at the moment, they are still the reigning MLS Cup champions and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference. That’s why everyone was shocked when Javier Mascherano announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down as Inter Miami manager.
Mascherano cited personal reasons for his decision. Hopefully there are no problems in Mascherano’s personal life, but fans soon realized that Gerardo Martino had left the same position before Mascherano for personal reasons. It’s natural for a manager to wonder if he has the right conditions to succeed at the club and whether it’s a coveted job.
But coaching Lionel Messi should be enough to get anyone excited. That’s especially true when you consider potential replacements who have links to Messi. Xavi is already the most popular player among fans.
Xavi could be Inter Miami’s option to replace Javier Mascherano and other Argentine players
Xavi has not coached a team since leaving FC Barcelona in the summer of 2024. He has a strong relationship with Messi, having played together for 10 years at the Blaugrana. He is the obvious choice, but Inter Miami could target Messi’s compatriot again.
Miami’s last two managers were Argentines, Martino and Mascherano. They also brought in a number of Argentine players to help Messi feel at home in South Florida. In that case, either Marcelo Gallardo or Hernan Crespo could be selected.
Both Gallardo and Crespo have had great success operating in South America. Gallardo became a club legend during his first stint at River Plate, but his second stint was a failure and he was forced to leave this year. Crespo won the Copa Sudamericana with Defensa y Justicia in 2020 and won the Brazilian league with São Paulo in 2021. Despite being in second place this season at the beginning of March, Crespo was fired in a surprising move.
Given Inter Miami’s success over the past few seasons, as well as Messi’s ability to coach, the club should have no shortage of high-profile options to replace Mascherano.
