FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — This weekend marks the beginning of Javier Mascherano’s tenure as the new head coach of Inter Miami, although he has yet to find permanent lodging in South Florida.
Mascherano, who played alongside Lionel Messi both at Barcelona and the Argentina national team, has recently taken up the coaching role. Since his hiring a few weeks ago, he has been preoccupied with preparations for a new season in Major League Soccer, which has delayed his search for suitable accommodation. Currently, he is residing in a hotel while focusing on his responsibilities with the team. “Maybe in two or three weeks, I’ll try to find a house,” he stated, emphasizing that his main focus is on the job ahead.
His priority is undoubtedly his role as a coach. On Monday, Mascherano led his second official training session with Inter Miami, featuring Messi and the majority of the squad as they gear up for their preseason opener scheduled for Saturday in Las Vegas. “I like my teams to play with intensity and courage,” Mascherano remarked. However, he acknowledged that the team is still in the early stages and that maintaining calm would be crucial. “We’re happy with the players. They’re working hard and doing very well,” he added.
With a history of tactical awareness and a competitive spirit as a player, Mascherano’s coaching style is anticipated to reflect his on-field approach. Midfielder Yannick Bright noted a marked intensity during Monday’s practice, suggesting that Mascherano’s style sets expectations for the squad. “It was more intense for sure,” said Bright. “It gives you a little, I’ll say, flashes of what he’s going to be like, expectations and his character and everything. It’s exciting. Yeah, it’s exciting.”
Mascherano’s arrival comes after last season’s success under former coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who resigned due to personal reasons following a record-setting regular season and an early exit from the playoffs. The high expectations for Inter Miami, particularly with Messi onboard, create considerable pressure to secure trophies. This urgency may explain why Mascherano is spending extensive hours on team preparations rather than seeking out a permanent residence.
American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, whose parents are Argentine, readily connects with Mascherano’s coaching philosophy, which reflects the passion often associated with Argentine soccer. “I think Argentinians, you know, play with a lot of passion and they’ve shown it around the world,” Cremaschi stated. Although he and goalkeeper Drake Callender were present at the facility, they currently train with the U.S. national team for upcoming matches against Venezuela and Costa Rica and have not yet joined the club team for training.
“The passion, the way they live the game, is something that a lot of players could learn from,” Cremaschi added, hinting at the influence Mascherano may have on the team’s culture and performance moving forward.
