Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the Argentine former Barcelona and Mexico National Team manager, has resigned from his job as head coach of MLS club Inter Miami CF, according to MLS insider Tom Bogert.
Martino signed with Inter Miami in 2023 and oversaw a squad makeover, mostly consisting of former FC Barcelona stars he used to manage such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. The squad balances the veteran players with a number of promising youth talents, such as Diego Gomez and Federico Redondo.
However, despite winning a record-breaking 74 points in the regular season, Inter Miami crashed out of the first round of the MLS playoffs to 9th seed Atlanta United, a result that shocked the football world.
Inter Miami scored a record 79 goals in the regular season, with Messi and his attacking partners tearing teams to shreds. However, their Achilles heel was defense. They conceded 49 goals and the chaotic 3-2 loss against Atlanta United in their first-round playoff exit perfectly exemplified their team imbalance.
Martino previously managed Atlanta United from 2016 to 2018, winning the MLS Cup in 2017. He then refused to sign an extension with the club., instead choosing to sign for the Mexican National team. It was there he was defeated by the United States in both the CONCACAF Nations League Final and the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. In the 2022 World Cup, Mexico failed to advance past the group stage for the first time since 1978.
Bogert claims Martino cited ‘personal reasons’ for his departure. The process will now begin to find Inter Miami and Lionel Messi a new manager, with the Argentine star sure to have a big say in the decision.
Martino is a nominee for the 2024 Sigi Schmid Award, a prize given to the best coach of the MLS that year.
