Inter Miami Makes Coaching Change
Javier Mascherano has stepped down as head coach of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, the club confirmed in an official statement. His tenure lasted just over a year, having taken charge ahead of the 2025 season, which culminated in the club winning the MLS Cup. Guillermo Hoyos, the club's former sporting director, has been appointed interim manager while a permanent successor is sought. This move comes as MLS clubs are increasingly making early-season changes in response to performance.
Interim Manager's Extensive Background
The newly appointed interim coach, Guillermo Hoyos, brings a wealth of experience from managing clubs across multiple continents, including:
- Bolivia
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Chile
- United States
- Greece
- Colombia
- Cyprus
Hoyos has previously secured league championships with Bolivian side Bolívar and Chile's Universidad. He now takes over an Inter Miami side currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference with 12 points from seven matches (three wins, three draws), aiming to improve their regular-season form.
Mascherano, a native of San Lorenzo and a product of River Plate's academy, began his senior playing career in the 2003/04 season. The decorated defender/midfielder played for several elite clubs, including Brazil's Corinthians, London's West Ham United, England's Liverpool, and Spain's Barcelona. His trophy haul includes domestic league titles in Argentina, Brazil, and Spain, alongside Copa del Rey triumphs, UEFA Champions League victories, and other international honors.
The decision for a change follows a difficult start to the 2026 campaign for Inter Miami, which began with a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC and an exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of Nashville SC. These results are widely seen as the catalyst for the managerial shift. The move is part of a wider trend of coaching changes in MLS, with Canadian club CF Montréal also recently parting ways with head coach Marc Dos Santos as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
In a separate roster move, defender Artem Dashkovets has transferred from Ukrainian club Bukovyna Chernivtsi to MLS side Austin FC, where he will join their reserve team. The Texas-based club acquired the player on a free transfer, highlighting ongoing activity in the league's transfer market.
This coaching change at Inter Miami reflects not only the club's immediate challenges but also a league-wide pattern of seeking quick corrections after poor starts. The interim appointment of Hoyos suggests a desire for stability during the search for a permanent leader, while the parallel moves at other clubs indicate a competitive environment where early results are scrutinized closely, potentially leading to further managerial rotations across the league.