Former Argentina coach Martino follows Messi to Inter Miami

Miami, Jun 28 (EFE).- Gerardo “Tata” Martino was announced Wednesday as the new coach of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, where the former Argentina and Barcelona manager will be reunited with superstar Lionel Messi.

“Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose track record speaks for itself,” club co-owner David Beckham said. “We are confident that his achievements in the game and experience as a head coach will inspire our team and excite our fans and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on and off the field.”

Martino was with Messi and Spaniard Sergio Busquets – another recent Inter Miami signing – at Barcelona in 2013-2014 and went on to manage the seven-time Ballon d’Or with the Albiceleste in 2014-2016.

“I’m very excited to join a big club like Inter Miami and I know together we can accomplish many great things,” the Argentine said. “The club has the necessary infrastructure to be a major competitor in the region and I believe that with everyone’s hard work and commitment we can get there.”

Tata guided Atlanta United to victory in the MLS Cup.

Messi, 36, and the 60-year-old Martino are both from Rosario and as a boy, Leo was a fan of Newell’s Old Boys, where Tata played from 1980-1990 and won a first division title as coach in 2013.

Martino accumulated four top-flight championships in Paraguay and later directed the national side to its best ever international result, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.

Tata took charge of the Mexican national team in 2019 and the squad won the CONCACAF Gold Cup that year.

But the Tri lost two CONCACAF finals to archrivals the United States in 2021 and Martino was fired after Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage at World Cup 2022, where Messi led Argentina to their third championship.

EFE am/dr