Messi's Former Teammate Favored to Succeed Mascherano at Inter Miami

Javier Mascherano's unexpected departure from the Inter Miami dugout has opened the door for a high-profile succession, with Xavi Hernández and Marcelo Gallardo emerging as the leading candidates for the role, according to Argentine press reports.

Mascherano's resignation, attributed to "personal reasons" in an official club statement, caught everyone off guard. The decision came shortly after the Argentine led a star-studded team, featuring former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, to the MLS title in 2025.

For now, the Florida club has announced that Guillermo Hoyos, previously the sporting director, will take interim charge of the team. Hoyos, who coached at La Masia and worked with Messi during the 2003/04 season, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. "Being with the best player in history on the field is something extraordinary, I am very grateful," he stated.

With extensive international experience, Hoyos has managed clubs in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Greece, and Cyprus, in addition to coaching the Bolivian national team. At Inter Miami, his role involved overseeing the club's professional development structure.

Despite owner David Beckham urging calm, stating that they need to "let things settle down," he also admitted that he has to "find a new coach at some point." This necessity has placed the Inter Miami bench firmly in the transfer market spotlight.

In this context, Xavi Hernández's name stands out. His Barcelona past and strong connection to Leo Messi make him a particularly attractive candidate to lead the project, despite not having coached since leaving Barça in the summer of 2024. Alongside Xavi, Marcelo Gallardo also features prominently. The former River Plate coach, currently unattached, is seen as another internationally renowned option who fits the desired profile.

The information, reported by TNT Sports Argentina, positions Xavi as the main favorite to succeed his former teammate. However, at present, there is no official confirmation or ongoing negotiations, with the reports currently amounting to speculation surrounding Mascherano's potential successors.