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Javier Mascherano says the managerial role at Inter Miami won’t impact his personal equations with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Javier Mascherano was recently named as the new coach of Inter Miami. (AP Photo)
Inter Miami are set to begin a new life under coach Javier Mascherano. The David Beckham co-owned club appointed Mascherano as their new head coach, replacing Tata Martino.
Martino parted ways with Inter Miami after their shocking exit from the Major League Soccer (MLS) Playoffs. Thanks to his new role, Mascherano will reunite with some of his old friends like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
The group earlier played together for Spanish club FC Barcelona.
Mascherano touched upon his relationship with his former teammates at his first press conference as the Inter Miami boss.
The ex-Argentine captain says he won’t let his managerial responsibilities to affect friendship with Messi, Suarez, Busquets or Alba as he believes life continues beyond football.
“I told them I’m not going to walk into the dressing room and act like we’re not friends. I told Jorge Mas, I told Leo and the other guys, that I’m not going to jeopardise the relationship I have built with them over the years for a job. I’m not like that,” Mascherano was quoted as saying by Goal.
The 40-year-old further revealed how Messi and his other friends influenced him to take up the coaching job at Inter Miami.
Along with the other four, Messi and Mascherano shared the Barcelona dressing room for more than six years.
“It is a privilege to coach Messi and players of the calibre like Luis, Busi, Jordi and others I’ve had the chance to know, especially the Argentines, and some young academy players like Noah Allen and David Ruiz, who have potential. Having worked with youth players for a long time, I enjoy continuing to have this opportunity,” Mascherano said.
Mascherano kicked off his coaching career in 2021 with the Argentine U-20 team. He was also in charge of the Argentine squad, featuring at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.
Mascherano, however, has mostly worked with youth teams and will now be aiming to win MLS title with Inter Miami.
