Argentine coach Javier Mascherano is no longer the head coach of Inter Miami, and this surprising move comes just four months after he won the MLS Cup title with the club.
Mascherano (41), a former teammate of Lionel Messi at Barcelona and the Argentina national team, who reunited with him at Inter Miami, is leaving the club for personal reasons.
In addition to him, Inter Miami is also leaving its entire coaching staff, and the reasons for their departure were not stated.
"I would like to thank the club for the trust they have placed in me, all the employees who are part of the organization for their joint efforts, and especially the players, who have made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments," said Mascherano, the club reported.
The move comes less than two weeks after Inter Miami opened a new stadium near the city's International Airport. The club drew its first two games at the new stadium.
He will be temporarily replaced as coach by Guillermo Ojos, who is credited with discovering Messi in Barcelona's academy and predicting that he could become one of the best footballers of all time.
Messi was 16 at the time, at the very beginning of a career that would lead him to win eight Ballon d'Ors, a World Cup and four Champions League titles. Messi has referred to Ojos in interviews over the years as his "footballing father."
Ojos will now coach Messi again, but it is unclear how long he will remain in the position. He takes over a team that is third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings after seven rounds with 12 points.
The club announced that the duties of sporting director will be taken over by current director Alberto Marero, who will thus replace Ojos in the position.
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