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"He's a wonderful individual, an excellent coach, and the players adored him"—those were the words of Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham as he addressed the unexpected departure of MLS Cup-winning head coach Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano cited "personal reasons" when confirming his resignation just nine matches into the 2026 season, having informed the club of his decision following the weekend's 2–2 tie against Red Bull New York.
Club director Guillermo Hoyos will step in as interim manager, bringing with him two decades of coaching experience at various levels before his behind-the-scenes reunion with Lionel Messi began back in 2023.
Hoyos could even be handed a longer run in charge, with Beckham acknowledging to CBS that Miami will not rush into a permanent appointment as the club takes stock of the situation.
"That's a tough one," Beckham said when asked about where things stand. "[Mascherano] came off the back of last season by winning our first championship. He's a wonderful individual, an excellent coach, the players adored him, but obviously, these things happen at football clubs and we have to move forward.
"We'll need to find a new coach at some point. But right now, we need to let the dust settle. As I've said before, owning a club always comes with its challenges."
Who Could Be Inter Miami's Next Manager?
Miami will likely set their sights high when it comes to a new appointment, eager to make the most of the attention surrounding Messi during the remaining 18 months of his contract. This is, after all, a club built to win now.
Just how far Miami can realistically reach remains uncertain. Reports have identified Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as an ideal target, though one that appears largely unattainable. Guardiola's own future at the Etihad remains unclear.
Messi's deep connection to Barcelona naturally draws attention to former Blaugrana manager Xavi, who has been without a club since departing Catalonia in the summer of 2024. With European opportunities expected to emerge this summer, the former midfielder may opt to stay closer to home.
There is also the question of Xavi's recent public remarks about Messi's potential return to Barcelona. The Argentine was believed to be keen to stay out of the headlines during Barça's recent presidential elections, only to be pulled back in by Xavi's claims that he nearly rejoined the club before signing with Miami. Whether Messi welcomed those comments remains unclear.
If MLS familiarity is the priority, Miami could turn to Wilfried Nancy. The Frenchman recently endured a difficult spell at Celtic but is well regarded in North America for his record-setting tenure with the Columbus Crew. Former Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin may lack star power but knows the league as well as anyone in the running.
Marcelo Gallardo, formerly of River Plate in Argentina, is currently available, as is compatriot Hernán Crespo following his exit from Brazilian club São Paulo. A bold pursuit of Filipe Luís after his departure from Flamengo could face stiff competition from European clubs.
In the meantime, Hoyos will be afforded the standard opportunity to make his case in an interim capacity. While there may be no immediate plans to appoint the 62-year-old permanently, a strong run of results could quickly put him in the frame.
Read the Latest Inter Miami News, Analysis and Insight From SI FC
Tom Gott is an associate editor for SI FC, having entered the world of soccer media in early 2018 following his graduation from Newcastle University. He specialises in all things Premier League, with a particular passion for academy soccer, and can usually be found rebuilding your favorite team on Football Manager.