Messi and Beckham's Inter Miami to appoint ex-Liverpool star as manager | OneFootball

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is the new head coach of MLS side Inter Miami.

According to Cesar Luis Merdo on Twitter, the Argentinian will join his legendary compatriot Lionel Messi at the helm of the David Beckham-owned club on a 'long-term contract'.

Mascherano had previously been head coach of Argentina's under-20 side since 2021, as well as leading the Argentinian team at this year's Olympics.

His side disappointed at the under-20 World Cup in 2023, which Argentina actually hosted due to a late withdrawal by original hosts Indonesia. They saw through the group stage with no problem, beating Uzbekistan, Guatemala, and New Zealand handsomely.

But the same came unglued at the first time of asking in the knockout stage, losing 2-0 to Nigeria in the Round of 16.

The Olympic team didn't do much better. They finished second in their group, beating Ukraine and Iraq but losing 2-1 to Morocco.

As a result, they placed second in the group and were knocked out 1-0 by eventual runners-up France in the quarter-final.

Lionel Messi and David Beckham await

Mascherano now moves into one of the highest-pressure situations in world football.

Inter Miami had the league season that they dreamed - and spent seismic amounts of money - for. They finished top of the MLS Eastern Conference, eight points ahead of second place and 13 ahead of third, ensuring the easiest possible matchup for the first round of the MLS Playoffs.

But horror struck The Herons as they lost the three-game series in the first round of the playoffs to Atlanta United, losing the deciding game 3-2 despite being at home.

The former Liverpool midfielder will now be tasked with ensuring Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and fellow former Red Luis Suarez were not recruited in vain.

Mascherano and Messi enjoyed many successful years together at Barcelona and with the Argentine national team.

He replaced Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who left the hotseat once occupied by Phil Neville following the playoffs.