{"id":588498,"date":"2026-04-16T21:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/588498\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T21:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:43:08","slug":"details-begin-to-emerge-of-what-led-to-javier-mascheranos-abrupt-inter-miami-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/588498\/","title":{"rendered":"Details begin to emerge of what led to Javier Mascherano\u2019s abrupt Inter Miami exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before Javier Mascherano quit his role as Inter Miami head coach<\/a>, there was a locker room argument in the aftermath of Miami\u2019s 2-2 draw with Red Bull New York last weekend, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.<\/p>\n

Miami announced Mascherano resigned due to personal reasons on Tuesday, but the incident happened over the weekend, sources add. The players were informed Mascherano resigned and Guillermo Hoyos would take over as interim head coach.<\/p>\n

Hoyos led the team in training on Tuesday before the announcement.<\/p>\n

Sources added that discontent within the group had stemmed from Miami\u2019s disappointing round-of-16 exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup to Nashville SC, a team it handily beat in the MLS playoffs last year (Nashville since went on to eliminate Club Am\u00e9rica to book a place in the semifinals, becoming the first MLS team to win a competitive match at Estadio Azteca). One club source points to this as another reason for Mascherano\u2019s departure more than the weekend\u2019s incident, the details of which remain clouded per multiple discussions. But it was clear that tensions had been growing.<\/p>\n

The role of head coach at Inter Miami \u2014 with the public scrutiny, internal pressure and high expectations \u2014 isn\u2019t an easy one, even if it comes backed by significant resources and club-wide ambition. Mascherano was the club\u2019s fourth full-time coach since it launched in 2020, not including a seven-game interim stint from Javier Morales in 2023.<\/p>\n

Nor is it easy managing Lionel Messi, who remains extremely competitive \u2013 even for Mascherano, one of Messi\u2019s closest friends \u2013 creating an intense atmosphere around the club as it chases its goals.<\/p>\n

The dynamic between Messi and Mascherano during his tenure was such that the pair would get into arguments or heated discussions often, but sources insist that is normal behavior for two world-class athletes. Mascherano wasn\u2019t afraid to challenge Messi and push back, given their relationship and mutual respect. The pair played together for Argentina and Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Messi and the players being frustrated after failing to win is normal, as it was for other big players in Miami\u2019s history. Former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain would often express his disappointment after losses, though one source said Higuain \u201cwas never disrespectful.\u201d<\/p>\n

One key difference in the dynamic now is that Messi will officially become a part owner of the club<\/a> when he retires.<\/p>\n

Multiple sources say they aren\u2019t surprised Hoyos is the man in charge, at least temporarily, with one source saying: \u201cHe is one that never says no to Messi.\u201d Messi has previously referred to Hoyos as his \u201cfootball father\u201d and initially joined Miami as the club\u2019s academy director of methodology after Messi arrived.<\/p>\n

As for Messi, his public behavior has escalated since joining the club. He is routinely seen arguing with refs and staff members of other clubs. He was fined in 2025 for placing his hand on the neck of NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy during a heated exchange. Earlier this year, after scoring against rival Orlando City, Messi intimated to an Orlando staffer that he would give him his autograph.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udca3 Lionel Messi asked the Orlando City bench if they wanted an AUTOGRAPH after scoring a brace and masterminding a dramatic comeback. \ud83d\ude05\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 pic.twitter.com\/cUMGEqKzyF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) March 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Miami has been very successful in his time at the club, winning MLS Cup in 2025, the Supporters\u2019 Shield in 2024 and Leagues Cup in 2023. Messi became the league\u2019s first player to win back-to-back MVPs (2024, 2025) and signed a new contract with the club through 2028<\/a> last October. Miami is currently 3-1-3 and sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. The club visits the Colorado Rapids this Saturday in its first post-Mascherano match.<\/p>\n