Javier Mascherano unexpectedly resigns as Inter Miami head coach

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano unexpectedly stepped down from his post due to what he called “personal reasons,” a club statement confirmed on Tuesday.  “I will always carry with me the memory of our first star, and wherever I am, I will continue to wish the club all the best moving forward,” Mascherano said.  The communiqué also featured words by Managing owner Jorge Mas, who highlighted the coach’s “dedication and daily work leading the team,” while thanking him and wishing him the best in his “professional and personal future.” Mascherano will be replaced by Ángel Guillermo Hoyos, an Argentine former player and coach who until now had served as the club’s development structure head and sporting director.  At the time of writing, there has still been no comment from Inter Miami and Argentina national team superstar Lionel Messi. Mascherano’s tenure The Herons confirmed El Jefecito, as Mascherano is affectionately known, as their new head coach in late November 2024, with a contract running until 2027. Mascherano won two major trophies in his first season helming the club: Inter Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup title and an Eastern Conference championship.  The 2025 campaign also saw record numbers for the club, as the team scored 101 goals across the regular season and the playoffs, the most in a single season in MLS history, including a postseason record 20 goals. They also played an unprecedented 58 matches across all competitions. On the international stage, Mascherano’s biggest accomplishment came in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Inter Miami became the first MLS side to reach the knockout rounds of the competition. They were also the first U.S. team to earn a win in the tournament.  Inter Miami also reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup and advanced to its second Leagues Cup final in just its third appearance in the competition. Mascherano’s only job as a coach prior to Inter Miami has been at the helm of the Argentine U-20 national men’s team. In 2024, he achieved his biggest success, a second-place finish in the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, securing a spot in the Paris Olympics.