Gerardo 'Tata' Martino to become new Inter Miami manager

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is set to become Inter Miami’s newest head coach, sources have confirmed to 90min.

The two parties are nearing a deal, with personal terms to be agreed upon in the coming days. 

The Major League Soccer side recently parted ways with former manager Phil Neville following a string of negative results saw the club fall to last place on the Eastern Conference table. Assistant Coach Javier Morales currently leads as the interim manager, while assistant coaches Darren Powell and Alec Scott remain in their current roles. 

But now, Tata Martino will take over the South Florida side at the request of newest addition Lionel Messi.

READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI'S MOVE TO INTER MIAMI

Martino last served as the Mexican national team manager, guiding El Tri to one of their most disappointing World Cup campaigns in recent history by failing to qualify for the knockout round. But despite heavy criticism on the international front, Messi is keen to reunite with his former coach. 

The two worked together at FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2014 and the Argentinian national team from 2014 to 2016. Sources explain the Argentine player has pushed for Martino to join Inter Miami since confirming his own arrival. 

On June 7, Lionel Messi first announced his decision to join Inter Miami on a free transfer following his Paris Saint-Germain exit, opting for a new challenge instead of re-joining former club Barcelona.

"I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami," Messi said to Mundo Deportivo. "I still haven't closed it one hundred percent. I'm missing some things but we decided to continue the path."

Following his announcement, 90min confirmed Messi would soon be joined by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. 

Suarez's arrival in south Florida will mean he returns to the same squad as Messi and Busquets for the first time since 2020, when he left Camp Nou for Atletico Madrid. The trio spent six successful years together in Catalonia, propelling Messi to play his part in helping bring both his former colleagues to the club.

Major League Soccer’s Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 5.

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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the latest transfer news. On the agenda is future of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi's shock move to Inter Miami, Declan Rice's proposed Arsenal deal, Tottenham's summer plans and more.

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!