ไทย
English
中國人
Inter Miami sent shockwaves throughout South Florida on Tuesday afternoon when they confirmed the immediate exit of manager Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine, departing the club for "personal reasons," guided Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup last season in a campaign that featured a record 101 goals. Hoisting the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy was the ideal conclusion to Mascherano's maiden season on the sidelines and a fitting farewell for Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets as they headed into retirement.
Everything seemed perfectly positioned for the Herons to build on that momentum this season, particularly after a strong offseason. The club secured Luis Suárez on a new deal, brought in 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair, and added Germán Berterame as their third Designated Player alongside Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
Yet just four months after their MLS Cup victory, the defending champions find themselves in turmoil—and without a familiar, trusted figure on the bench to steer them back on course.
Miami's Poor Run of Form Without an End in Sight
Warning signs emerged as early as February when LAFC thrashed Inter Miami 3–0 in their season opener. Failing to compete with one of their top MLS Cup rivals was a troubling sign for the Herons, though there was little reason for immediate panic. It was, after all, just the opening match of the season, with plenty of new faces still finding their footing in pink.
However, the team never managed to turn things around. Mascherano's side were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup—a tournament co-owner Jorge Mas had identified as the club's top priority in 2026—in the round of 16 by Nashville SC. They also managed just three league victories in their opening seven fixtures, dropping points against Charlotte FC, Austin FC, and most recently Red Bull New York.
Inter Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference with 12 points from seven matches, a concerning return for a side boasting arguably the greatest player of all time up front.
With upcoming fixtures against Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake—both sides looking more than capable of troubling the Herons—it's difficult to envision the defending champions snapping out of their slump without Mascherano at the helm.
New Signings Under More Pressure Than Ever
With Mascherano no longer around to absorb criticism for the team's struggles in 2026, the spotlight will quickly fall on the new arrivals who have failed to make an impact in their debut seasons.
Berterame stands out most, having managed just one goal in his first nine appearances for Inter Miami. The club considered the striker worthy of a DP slot, but he has done little to justify that faith.
The 27-year-old only notched his first goal in an Inter Miami shirt at the weekend in the Herons' 2–2 draw with Red Bull New York. To make matters worse, he has registered just five shots on target across 422 minutes of MLS action.
St. Clair will also face increased scrutiny. Inter Miami have kept just one clean sheet in MLS this season—and it came while the Canadian was on the bench. In his six league starts, the former Minnesota United standout has conceded 12 goals.
Both high-profile signings need to rediscover the form that brought them success earlier in their careers, or Inter Miami risk continuing their downward slide.
A New Face on the Touchline?
Inter Miami confirmed that former sporting director Guillermo Hoyos will step in as interim manager in Mascherano's absence. The club offered no indication of who might take over on a permanent basis, but they will undoubtedly be scouring the market for a capable new boss to steady what has become a rapidly listing ship.
The sudden nature of Mascherano's exit leaves the Herons scrambling and without the luxury of a lengthy search for the ideal candidate, particularly with so many potential targets already committed elsewhere. Nine MLS clubs, in fact, appointed new managers ahead of the 2026 season.
One notable name currently without a club is Wilfried Nancy. The Frenchman previously steered Columbus Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup before departing in December to take charge of Celtic. His tenure there lasted just 33 days before he was dismissed.
Despite his brief and disappointing spell in Scotland, Nancy has a proven understanding of what it takes to succeed in MLS—and he never had a squad anywhere near as talented as Inter Miami's at his disposal.
Whether the Herons pursue the 49-year-old or look in a different direction remains to be seen, but they will be eager to bring in a steadying presence both in the dressing room and on the touchline as quickly as possible.