Javier Mascherano out as Inter Miami manager in stunning twist

Head coach Javier Mascherano has departed Inter Miami, the club announced on Tuesday, in a stunning twist for the reigning MLS Cup champions.

Two sources tell The Athletic that Guillermo Hoyos could take over as interim head coach. Hoyos led training on Monday, sources say.

Mascherano, one of Lionel Messi’s closest friends from their time with the Argentina national team and Barcelona, was named Miami head coach in November 2024, after the club’s elimination from the playoffs. In his lone full season in charge, Mascherano led the club to its first MLS Cup title. He was lauded for moving away from Luis Suárez in Miami’s starting XI in the postseason (a choice first forced via suspension, but then maintained after), instead flanking Messi with Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti in order to unlock the full potential of the team’s attack. It worked, with Miami scoring the most goals in a single postseason (20) in MLS history.

This season, though, Miami has played below expectation, already having been eliminated in the Concacaf Champions Cup by Nashville SC in the round of 16 and having drawn both of its games at Nu Stadium, the club’s new arena that opened on April 4.

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retired this winter, but Miami completely reloaded for 2026. Miami set a new club-record transfer with a $15 million deal to sign Mexico international forward Germán Berterame, as well as revamping the defense with additions of reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and former Houston star center back Micael.

Even so, Miami is 3-1-3 through seven matches, sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference with just a +1 goal differential.

Mascherano makes for the third MLS coaching change early into the 2026 season, following Orlando City’s firing of Óscar Pareja and CF Montréal’s ouster of Marco Donadel.