Lionel Messi’s MLS team will be looking for a new head coach heading into the 2025 season after his former Barcelona and Argentina manager has surprisingly left after an incredible regular season
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has left Inter Miami despite their impressive 2024 regular season. He has left the team due on his own accord due to ‘personal reasons’ and was not sacked.
Martino led Miami to league-record 74 point regular season then lost in the first round to Atlanta United, with Lionel Messi’s team now looking for a new head coach heading into the 2025 season.
The 61-year-old had another year on his contract with the team, which had been in allignment with Messi’s deal – both set to expire in 2025 – but he has opted to leave a year early.
Martino leaves the team after joing in July 2023, boasting a 52% win percentage with 35 victories, 16 draws and 16 defeats in the MLS during his team in the US.
The veteran manager joined on recommendation of Messi, having coached him for one year with Barcelona before he became his national head coach for two years with Argentina.
The south Florida outfit suffered a 3-2 defeat to Atlanta United after their incredible regular season, as they claimed the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the best league record – setting a new points record with 74.
Miami had entered the playoffs as the favorite, with Messi and Luis Suarez leading the line in front of the likes of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. However, Atlanta defeated them in the first round despite being the 9th seed and Miami as the first.
This has already led to speculation about Messi’s future, with some rumours swirling that he could look to return to Argentina to see out the final years of his career.
However, Messi seemingly confirmed that he is looking to stay for his final season in his Instagram post after his side were eliminated from the playoffs.
Posting on social media, his caption read: “A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more. Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us. Now let’s get ready to come back stronger next year.”
Some rumours on social media had emerged that Messi could look to re-join the team in which he begun his career in with Newell’s Old Boys. Messi has never played professionally in his home nation – leaving for Barcelona at the age of just 13, coming through the ranks before spending 21 years while being seen as the greatest player of all-time in his incredible span with the Catalan giants.
It remains unclear whether Martino will return to coaching anytime soon, with no further reports given on why the manager chose to leave Miami. A press conference will be held on Friday, November 22 with Martino alongside Managing Owner Jorge Mas.
