Reunited at Inter Miami CF - Tata Martino to lead Messi era in MLS

©TM/IMAGO

Inter Miami CF have found a head coach to guide the club through the Lionel Messi era. And not surprisingly, it will be a familiar face to Major League Soccer: Tata Martino. The 60-year-old Argentine takes over from Phil Neville, who was released by the Beckham-owned clubs just days before it was announced that Messi would be headed to Miami. 

Staff

G. Martino Age: 61

All seasons -
MLS

Games

93

Won

47

Draw

23

Lost

23

“Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose track record speaks for itself,” said Co-Owner David Beckham in a club statement. “We are confident that his achievements in the game and experience as a head coach will inspire our team and excite our fans and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on and off the field.”

Martino brings two important factors to his new club. Firstly, the Argentine knows how to win in MLS. In 78 games with Atlanta United, Martino averaged 1.82 points per game. As the club’s first-ever head coach, Martino also guided Atlanta to an MLS Cup within just two years of the Five Stripes having entered MLS. “Tata has a proven track record of success in this league and on several other major stages of soccer,” Inter Miami CF sporting director Chris Henderson said in a club statement. 

Martino won MLS Cup in 2018 – Has worked with Messi in the past 

But Martino’s success in MLS is just part of the story. Prior to joining Atlanta United, Martino was the head coach of Barcelona, where he averaged 2.22 points per game in 59 games, and then oversaw the Argentine national team, where he averaged 2.21 points per game. 

Those previous roles also have fostered a close bond between Martino and Messi. Martino has overseen 66 games in which Messi was involved—only nine players had more appearances under the Argentine. In those 66 games, Messi has scored 54 goals and 24 assists. In other words, Martino knows how to accommodate the superstar and find a system that will get the best out of Messi in MLS. 

Staff

G. Martino Age: 61

Argentina

All seasons -
All competitions

Games

29

Won

20

Draw

4

Lost

5

There is no doubt that making the Messi project work in MLS will be Martino’s biggest task, and the new bench boss made it clear on Wednesday that he wants to bring instant success to Inter Miami. “The club has the necessary infrastructure to be a major competitor in the region, and I believe that with everyone’s hard work and commitment, we can get there,” Martino said.