Martino resigns as Inter Miami coach following MLS Cup playoffs exit
Gerardo "Tata" Martino, Inter Miami's coach, resigned on Friday citing personal reasons after the team was eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs earlier this month.
Martino's Miami, captained by Argentina's Lionel Messi, topped the MLS regular season standings and won the Supporters' Shield with a record-breaking 74 points in 34 games.
However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by ninth-seeded Atlanta United, who won the MLS Cup under Martino in 2018.
Miami had also failed to go past the League Cup's last-16 round, and they were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in the quarter-finals earlier this year by Mexican team Monterrey.
"It has been an honour to work at such a special Club, and to lead such a special team," Martino said in a statement. "I depart with nothing but gratitude for my time here."
On Friday, managing owner Jorge Mas informed reporters that the team was "very near the end of the process" of appointing a new coach and that an announcement would be made in the coming days.
When asked about reports that Messi's former Barcelona and national teammate Javier Mascherano might take over, Mas declined to comment on any individual possibilities.
Martino, who previously coached Barcelona a decade ago and managed the Argentina national team for two years, joined Miami in June 2023.
He led them to the League Cup trophy last year, the club's first major title since former England captain David Beckham formed the expansion team.
In addition to Messi, Miami have recruited his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
Despite missing much of the 2024 season due to injuries and Copa America obligations, Messi and Suarez each scored 20 MLS goals.
Miami defeated Atlanta 2-1 in the first game, but lost the following two to be eliminated from the playoffs in one of the biggest upsets in league history.
"I like to reflect on the positives of this year," said Mas.
"Without a doubt it was an extremely disappointing ending to this year - completely unexpected. We expect here to win, to lift trophies. There is pressure in this club to win and that's a good thing."
As Supporters' Shield winners, Miami qualified for the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which will be contested in the United States in June-July of next year.
SportsLigue