Gerardo Martino confirmed Friday that his abrupt resignation as Inter Miami coach is for strictly personal reasons.
At the same press conference at the facilities of the Inter Miami, the managing owner of the club Jorge Mas announced that they had already chosen Martino’s replacement and that the name of the person would be given in the next few days.
For its part, the Argentine press advanced that the chosen one is Javier Mascherano, Messi’s partner in Barcelona and in the Argentine team and current strategist of the sub-20 Argentine.
Martino gave few details about his decision. I need to be in Rosario, I appreciate working with Inter Miami, it was his first words. This charge demands a lot, it’s very catchy.
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The former coach of the club Inter said that before the start of the first round of the MLS playoff against Atlanta United, on October 25, he communicated his decision to Mas and the president of operations of Inter Miami, Raul Sanllehi, who participated in the press conference on Friday next to the club’s owner.
“Read to Jorge [Mas], Raul [Sanllehi] and Leo [Messi], Martino confessed. I didn’t make it public so I didn’t affect the team. At Inter Miami they assumed they were going to go too far in the playoffs, but the trip was cut by a battering from Atlanta United.
“We were left with a very bitter mouth flavor after elimination against Atlanta,” Martino explained.
On the overall balance, the positive thing is that we started competing differently. Martino also pointed out that of the three times he directed Messi this one at Inter Miami was the one he enjoyed the most. “This was the closest,” Martino said.
We found ourselves in the growth of our professional careers, it was the best time of the three stages we share.
Martino then clarified that if he reduces his work from a year and a half to the lead of Inter Miami to the series with Atlanta it is unfair.
“Now the team is ready to compete everywhere, to all the cups we have accessed for the performance of the squad,” Martino said.
There’s a lot ahead, it’s necessary for the MLS to push alongside the clubs.
He also said that going back to Argentine football doesn’t consider it “viable,” but I would say no. He announced he will not work in the coming months.
“I was able to help transform a team that had a hard time getting into the playoffs and played a US Open Cup championship, won the Leagues Cup, the Supporters Shield, and got to the playoffs,” Martino added.
It leaves me too calm. You also have to see how young this institution is. It costs a lot to evolve. I’m sure he’ll hold it.
He said the problem against Atlanta was the lack of effectiveness in the series. “The three games we were ahead on the scoreboard,” the coach recalled.
Arnier Brad Guzan was decisive in the three meetings. There were imponderables that played us against. If I had to raise it again I would do it the same way. Martino said that at Inter Miami he occupied a place many want to reach.
“This madman is going from a place where everyone wants to be,” the technician said. I’m grateful that I’ve been respected by my decision and the club is moving on.
But he recognized Martino’s work. “I appreciate everything that Tata has done during this year and a half,” said the franchise owner. Your footprint will always live in the history of Inter Miami.
The manager explained that when they started with the club five years ago they did so to make it a reflection of our community. “I think today I can say that many of those dreams have been fulfilled,” he said.
We have created a global club, which changed the sport in the United States, set records, brought Messi, [Sergio] Busquets, [Luis] Suarez and [Jordi] Alba. The manager added that to appoint Martino’s replacement they followed a strategy.
The style of football we want is attacking, pressing the rival, scoring goals, and playing a nice position in football, Mas said. This is a club that’s going to attack, we’re not going to play a football that we’re going to park to get the 0-0.
To choose coach Mas said they considered that the most important thing is personal values, how he will wear the locker room.
Mas said artificial intelligence was used to find the ideal character, which is compatible with the club’s varied staff.
“Many names have been shuffled, about 50 at the beginning,” Mas said. We are very close to finalizing an agreement with the new coach and the announcement will come in a few days.
But he explained that there are no limitations in the budget and that they not only want to compete but be successful.
He then clarified that Messi has a contract with Inter Miami until 2025 and will discuss the future. “In 2026 we inaugurated our stadium,” Mas said. We trust Messi by then.
Then Mas said the elimination against Atlanta United was a shock, that football is sometimes very cruel, but that gave them more fire to move forward and where there is a need for improvement they will do so.
“I spoke to Messi on Saturday, after I did with Tata,” Mas revealed. Did I ask Messi that it’s important to him and the payroll? Obviously, I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new coach. We talked to Leo all the time.
He also said that one of the goals is for Inter Miami to participate in the Copa Libertadores. “It’s the only major competition Messi hasn’t played,” Mas said. I hope one day we’ll see him there.
But he said that the new coach knows the Inter Miami project very well, he has followed it very closely.
He also anticipated changes in the squad and there will be a different tour to 2024 to avoid the stress of the players, as well as a good preseason.
For his part, Sanllehi said that the large contracts that are planned will run parallel to the formation of talents. “The project is serious,” said the president of football operations of the Inter Miami. The bet is on the academy, for basic football.
