Javier Mascherano reunites with Lionel Messi as David Beckham welcomes new Inter Miami manager - 'An honour for me'

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Former Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has been appointed as Inter Miami's new manager. He leaves his role as Argentina Under-20s head coach to take over the MLS side from Gerardo Martino after they were knocked out in the first round of the MLS Cup by Atlanta United. Mascherano was team-mates with Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba in his time at Barcelona.

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Javier Mascherano has been named as Inter Miami’s new manager.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder takes over from Gerardo Martino, who left the hotseat at Chase Stadium for "personal reasons."

Continuing the trend of appointing managers familiar with Miami’s talisman Lionel Messi, Mascherano steps into the dugout in the close season of Major League Soccer.

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Martino had led Miami, part-owned by David Beckham, to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the overall league table, securing qualification for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup next summer.

Miami led the table by eight points, with Columbus Crew in second, but they were stunned in the opening round of the MLS Cup by Atlanta United, who beat the Floridian side 3-2 in the deciding match of the best-of-three.

Messi scored an important equaliser at Chase Stadium on 65 minutes, but Bartosz Slisz’s strike sealed victory for Atlanta.

Now Mascherano takes charge, with Beckham labelling the former midfielder as "one of the world’s best players" in his pomp.

"Throughout his career as one of the world’s best players and as an experienced coach, Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great - relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts and understanding to back it up," Beckham said.

"We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team."

Mascherano leaves his position as manager of Argentina Under-20s to take over at Miami, and the former Barcelona man was in charge of Argentina’s Paris 2024 Olympic side, where they were beaten 1-0 in the first knockout round by hosts France thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal.

"To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honour for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of," Mascherano said.

"I was drawn to the organisation’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it.

"I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments."

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