Gerardo “Tata” Martino Resigns as Inter Miami Coach
Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular season record in Major League Soccer history this season, is resigning as coach of the club, a person with knowledge of the decision said Tuesday.
Reason for Resignation
Martino — who was hired in July 2023, right around the time that Lionel Messi debuted for the club — made the decision for personal reasons, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was not revealed publicly.
Plans for Future
There are tentative plans for a Friday news conference with Martino and team officials. Inter Miami was eliminated in the first round of this year’s MLS Cup playoffs, and won’t gather for training camp to start the 2025 season until January.
Martino’s Legacy at Inter Miami
The 61-year-old Martino — who coached Messi with Barcelona and Argentina’s national team before reuniting with him in South Florida — gave no outward indication that he was thinking about leaving when the season ended earlier this month.
Inter Miami was 26-9-12 in MLS regular season matches in the Martino era, plus won its first two trophies: the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters Shield as the best MLS regular season team this year.
Notable Achievements
Martino agreed to a deal with Inter Miami in June 2023, then debuted with the club the following month once the process of obtaining his work documentation was complete. His hiring was one in a series of major moves for the club — along with the signings of, among others, Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Martino coached Atlanta United to an MLS championship in 2018, winning the league’s coach of the year award that season. This year, even with Messi missing basically half the MLS season because of injuries and commitments to Argentina’s national team, Martino led Inter Miami to a level of regular season success never seen in the league’s history.
Records Set
Inter Miami finished with 74 points, one more than New England had in its record-setting season in 2021. At 22-4-8 in league play, Inter Miami finished the season with a.765 winning percentage for another MLS record. Inter Miami also became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses, tying another record.
What’s Next for Inter Miami
The next Inter Miami coach will have a hectic 2025. It’s likely the team will venture out on another international preseason tour, like it did this season. There’s also the 34-match MLS slate and Inter Miami will be one of the teams in the Club World Cup that starts in June as well.
Conclusion
Martino’s resignation comes as a surprise, especially after the team’s historic season. However, personal reasons are often unpredictable, and it’s unclear what the future holds for the coach and the team. One thing is certain, though: Martino leaves behind a legacy of success and a team that will be eager to build on that success in the future.
FAQs
Q: Why is Gerardo “Tata” Martino resigning as Inter Miami coach?
A: Martino is resigning for personal reasons.
Q: What was Martino’s record with Inter Miami?
A: Inter Miami was 26-9-12 in MLS regular season matches under Martino.
Q: What were some of Martino’s notable achievements with Inter Miami?
A: Martino led Inter Miami to a historic regular season, won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters Shield, and became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses.
Q: What’s next for Inter Miami?
A: The team will venture out on another international preseason tour, play the 34-match MLS slate, and participate in the Club World Cup in June.
