How Mascherano gained the support of Inter Miami, its supporters, and the MLS Cup
When Inter Miami appointed Javier Mascherano as their new manager in November 2024, there were uncertainties.
What made him suitable for the role? The then-40-year-old lacked prior senior managerial experience and had a limited coaching background that included only Argentina’s U20 and U23 teams.
The recently departed Gerardo “Tata” Martino had managed Barcelona, Argentina, and Mexico, and had led Atlanta United to an MLS Cup before taking charge at Miami. However, if he was unable to achieve the league’s ultimate goal, what chances did someone as inexperienced as Mascherano possess?
Did his connection with Inter superstar Lionel Messi—having played alongside him for 13 years with both Argentina and Barcelona—aid him in securing the position?
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas promptly responded to the skepticism.
“Why Mascherano?” he inquired during Mascherano’s introductory press conference. “He brings to the club the unique experience of having worked with both young players and the most significant players of this club.”
Mascherano recognized the concerns. He welcomed the skepticism.
“I understood that when there is criticism, it is often not aimed at the individual, it’s not a personal matter, but rather a reflection of the situation you’re in,” Mascherano told ESPN ahead of the 2026 season. “I don’t see myself as a victim; I dislike that narrative. I aimed to comprehend the context, and it seemed entirely reasonable to me. A new, young coach steps in after a highly experienced coach like Gerardo Martino, who hadn’t achieved the expected results with the Argentine youth teams. It was understandable that people, the media, and public opinion might have reservations about me.
“And I believe that ultimately drives you to improve as a professional. In other words, if you enter a situation where people doubt you, you must do something to prove yourself and gain their trust.”
Mascherano accomplished just that, guiding the Herons to an MLS Cup victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in December. It marked a triumphant conclusion to a season that, just months earlier, few believed was achievable.
His initial weeks in charge did little to silence his detractors.
Inter Miami was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup at the semifinal stage and recorded a mediocre 6-5-3 record in MLS play. Between April 27 and May 24, the Herons managed to win only one of eight matches, conceding 23 goals during that stretch.
Despite the rocky start, the team’s management expressed steadfast support. One source informed ESPN that Miami received multiple inquiries regarding the potential availability of the coach’s position due to the disappointing outcomes, but the response to every inquiry was consistently a firm “no.”
Like the rest of the front office, the players supported Mascherano from the outset. His immediate rapport with the squad stemmed from a commitment to authenticity, leveraging his experience as a player to connect with the roster.
“As a coach, the message must be internal first,” Mascherano stated. “I don’t deliver one message internally and then provide a completely different message externally, as that would undermine my credibility. Players are very perceptive, and within moments, they’ll recognize if you’re being disingenuous. The best approach is to be genuine with the strengths and weaknesses we all possess as individuals.
“I was a football player, and I have complete faith in the players. As a coach, due to my position, I often have to take responsibility for many situations. And that is what I’ve chosen to do. I genuinely believe in this, and I think that eventually, the players will also come to appreciate it.”
The squad quickly understood his vision for the game, but more importantly, it recognized that players would be prioritized under the Argentine coach’s leadership.
“What is said is absolutely accurate [about him being a players’ coach],” left back Noah Allen told ESPN. “He’s a young coach. He’s someone who’s very familiar with the modern game. … You could tell his ideas are solid, his interviews are insightful, and his mindset is positive. He’s the right coach. The players support him and trust him.”
Performance and results improved in the latter half of 2025, but amid setbacks in losing the Leagues Cup final and finishing third in the Supporters’ Shield standings, Mascherano continued to concentrate on his personal development while refining his team’s formula for success.
He shifted his focus from statistics and tactics to game and player management. He recognized that his squad could become his most valuable asset as the team continued to compete in a record number of matches.
“When you start out, you’re a young coach, and you emphasize the game itself, tactics, and strategy,” Mascherano explained. “Then, as time progresses, you realize that while those aspects are vital, managing personalities and emotions is equally important. Especially today, in a club, you have players of varying ages and diverse backgrounds, and that is crucial. The main lesson learned was our persistence and our unwavering faith in the team, in our style, and in our approach.”
The team motto became, We need everyone, not just the 11 starting players.
This proved essential in the recent postseason when Luis Suárez was suspended for kicking out at Nashville SC’s Andy Nájar in Game 2 of their best-of-three Round 1 matchup. Without their star striker, Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 victory and advanced to the conference semifinals.
Now, Mascherano faced the most formidable challenge of his coaching career: Recognize the team’s potential without Suárez and leave him on the bench, or revert to the previous lineup featuring the former Uruguay international despite Miami’s success without him. It was a critical juncture in the team’s season, and precisely the type of selection dilemma that challenges managers globally.
Mascherano opted to keep Suárez on the bench in the next round against FC Cincinnati, resulting in a decisive 4-0 win, and again in the 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final.
By making bold selection choices and orchestrating significant wins on the road, Mascherano had won over his critics.
“When we appointed Mascherano a year and a few days ago, it was Mascherano’s first high-profile position,” Mas stated in December. “This is a challenging team to coach, not only because of the personalities involved, not only due to the world-class players we have, but also because of the blend of young and emerging talent. That was one of the reasons Mascherano is here. But this is a tough team, and the pressure originates from us … the evolution of observing matches from the beginning of the year, then when we’re in the semifinals of Concacaf, entering the club World Cup, reaching the Leagues Cup final, and witnessing the team’s development over the last six to eight weeks, certainly with decisions he had to make that were difficult for him. Tactically, I believe the level at which our team has been playing, particularly in the last three matches, is at a level I have not seen since we’ve had this club.”
He proved the skeptics wrong and Mas correct. Barely a year after his appointment, the young coach with no prior senior managerial experience achieved what no coach at Inter Miami had.
In 2026, Mascherano’s Miami faces a new array of challenges, expectations, and pressures. He navigates a completely new roster, one without now-retired stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and does so with the aim of qualifying for the next Club World Cup by winning the Concacaf Champions Cup.
play1:14DC United vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
DC United vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
This will be no simple task considering the Seattle Sounders are the only MLS club to have won the competition in its current format, which has been in place since 2008. After being eliminated by Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the tournament’s 2024 edition, Martino elaborated on why the league’s clubs have struggled in the continental tournament.
“I mentioned this earlier, if MLS doesn’t relax the various rules it has to maintain deeper rosters, with injuries and suspensions, Liga MX will continue to hold the advantage,” he stated. “MLS still cannot compete with Liga MX at the same level due to roster regulations.”
Despite the stringent roster rules they must adhere to, Inter Miami enters the 2026 competition with the necessary squad depth to compete, having spent the offseason acquiring quality—if not necessarily high-profile—players across various positions. The Herons concentrated on strengthening the lineup comprehensively rather than fixating on signing one standout star.
Now, with an enhanced bench and approval from the front office to prioritize the tournament, Mascherano and his team are better equipped than in previous years. They will take their first steps in the competition on Wednesday against Nashville.
Winning the MLS Cup three months ago will do little to alleviate the pressures and expectations placed upon Mascherano by Inter Miami’s ownership, although he can be assured that he begins this new challenge better prepared.
“I’m much more mature now in terms of decision-making, in terms of supporting the team in a certain way,” he remarked. “I’m clear that the coach and we, as the coaching staff, have a responsibility to support the players, to assist them in finding their best form and to recognize that football, as I always say, belongs to them.
“The truth is, if I’m being honest, I’m a completely different coach now.”
