Inter Miami, the new club of famous soccer player Lionel Messi, announced the appointment of Argentine Gerardo Martino as its new technical director. The 60-year-old ‘Tata’ Martino, who previously coached the national teams of Paraguay, Argentina, and Mexico, will be reunited again with Messi in the same team after having coached him during the 2013-2014 season at Barcelona.
Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s general manager and US businessman, expressed his satisfaction at welcoming ‘Tata’ to the club. He considers Martino to be a coach who aligns with the team’s ambitions and is optimistic about what they can achieve together. Mas also highlighted Martino’s extensive experience at the highest level and believes he will be of great benefit to Inter Miami, whose goal is to compete for titles.
The announcement of Messi’s signing with Inter Miami stunned the sports world earlier this month. The MLS club, co-owned by former soccer star David Beckham, was able to secure the services of the Argentine star after terminating his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Martino, who played for and coached Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi began his career, before moving to Barcelona at the age of 12, is also hoping to sign another of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, whom he also managed at Barcelona.
Martino himself was excited to join Inter Miami and affirmed that together they could achieve great things.He highlighted the club’s infrastructure and its potential to be a leading competitor in the region. Beckham praised Martino’s track record and is confident that his coaching experience will inspire the team and excite the fans.
Businessman Mas also revealed that Inter Miami could sign up to five players during this summer’s transfer window.
Martino has not coached since ending his contract with the Mexican national team following their group stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.