One position Mascherano is focused on strengthening is the goalkeeper spot, and the primary candidate for initial negotiations is Guido Herrera, the standout veteran keeper from Talleres in Argentina. However, securing him will not be easy, as Inter Miami face competition from a familiar face: Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

According to reporting by Bolavip, both Inter Miami and Atlanta United have the Talleres goalkeeper on their list for next season. It is expected that both clubs could submit a formal offer to sign him at the start of the transfer window.

The Herons have not yet advanced aggressively with the goalkeeper due to their current playoff run. For the moment, they have only inquired with Herrera’s camp about his status and the possibility of seeking a change of scenery in the upcoming market.

The reason for Inter Miami’s pursuit of Herrera stems from the inconsistent performances of Oscar Ustari and Rocco Rios Novo throughout the season. Following the departure of Drake Callender, Mascherano rotated between the two Argentine keepers, but neither has provided the necessary stability to the team.

Martino wants Herrera in Atlanta

Atlanta United, for their part, have also initiated inquiries into Herrera’s situation. With Martino now formally in charge of the first team, they will soon decide whether to begin formal negotiations or pursue other options for the position.

It should be noted that Herrera is reportedly seeking a move away from his Argentine club. Over the last year, the 33-year-old goalkeeper has looked to leave Talleres for a fresh start, but no offer arrived that satisfied the club’s requirements. This transfer window, however, the situation could change.

Herrera’s 2025 numbers

Over the last season, Guido Herrera, at 33 years old, played a total of 35 matches. During those contests, he conceded 34 goals and maintained 13 clean sheets. He also received four yellow cards in 3,105 minutes on the field.

“Atlanta United today announced it has named Gerardo “Tata” Martino as the club’s head coach and signed the Argentine to a contract through the 2027 MLS season,” Atlanta United announced in an official statement.

This will mark Martino’s second tenure as head coach of Atlanta United, having been the franchise’s inaugural manager. During that time, the Argentine coach directed 68 matches, led the clubs to their first playoff appearance, and captured the MLS Cup in 2018, securing the earliest championship for an expansion team since 1998.

“I want to thank Arthur and Chris for the opportunity to return to the club and a city where we hold wonderful memories and maintain great relationships,” Martino said, via an official report from Atlanta United.

“This is a different project than my first stint with the club, however with great ownership and the collaboration of the players, coaching staff and everyone at the club, our objective will always be to form a winning team that makes our fans feel proud and well-represented every time that they go to Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” he added.

Under Martino’s command, Atlanta United established several records: 124 points, 140 goals, and a +56 goal differential across his two seasons. They also became only the second team in MLS history to surpass 70 goals in consecutive campaigns. His highly successful run with the clubs earned him the Coach of the Year award in 2018.

Martino’s history with Inter Miami

Following a period managing the Mexican National Team, Martino was hired by Inter Miami in 2023 to coach Lionel Messi again, having previously managed the star at Barcelona and with the Argentine National Team.

Martino became the manager who won Inter Miami’s first two titles, when they secured the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, setting the record for the most points in a single MLS campaign with 74 units and scoring 79 goals, the highest figure in the league.

Despite strong results, Martino unexpectedly stepped down in November 2024, with one year remaining on his contract. In a recent interview with The Athletic, the coach explained that Messi was the first to learn of his decision.

“I called Leo and explained that I had a personal need to be in Rosario (Argentina), and that the first half of the year was going to be complicated for me. Once I explained that it wasn’t a health issue but a very difficult personal matter, he was understanding and respected the discretion. It wasn’t something to debate, just to communicate. Afterward, I spoke with the club leadership and then with the players,” Martino said.

At the time, Inter Miami was leading the overall standings and considered the favorite heading into the playoffs. Under Martino, the team—led on the field by Messi—won 35 of 67 matches, with 16 losses and 16 draws, earning 62% of possible points.

“Coaching alongside the best player in the world at the time and continuing to coach him now is always a source of pride. It was a tough decision because I believed the project still had a lot of potential and room for growth. Ultimately, it was personal reasons that led me to resign and not complete the final year of my contract, which would have been 2025. Staying wasn’t an option,” Martino added.

Martino’s achievements with Inter Miami

During his tenure, Martino led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup shortly after Messi’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain and finished as runner-up in the 2023 US Open Cup. The following year, the team won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield by recording the most points across both conferences during the regular season.

Given the club’s brief seven-year history under David Beckham, these accomplishments were significant. Current coach Javier Mascherano now aims to secure the MLS trophy and continue the winning culture Martino established.

According to TyC Sports, Santos have made a formal offer to Gerardo Martino, the 62-year-old Argentine coach whose most recent job was with the Herons in Major League Soccer. He led the team from mid-2023 through the end of 2024, winning two titles: the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.

He stepped down from his role in Miami following the team’s Eastern Conference Playoff exit in December, citing personal reasons that required him to return to his hometown of Rosario—the same city where Lionel Messi was born.

However, Martino has since hinted that his situation has changed. “When I left Inter I said I needed to be in Rosario for at least a few months, and that’s what happened—I’ve been in Rosario since December. So when the time comes for something new, it will happen,” he said, according to TNT Sports.

Santos are in search of a top-tier coach

Pedro Caixinha was dismissed just days ago after Santos opened their league campaign with two losses and a draw in their first three matches. Under interim coach Cesar Sampaio, results improved with a win over Atletico Mineiro on Wednesday.

Still, the club’s leadership is actively pursuing a high-profile name to take over for the rest of the season. According to reports, their first calls went out to former Brazil national team coaches Tite and Dorival Junior, both of whom turned down the offer. The same was true for Jorge Sampaoli, who managed Argentina at the 2018 World Cup and has recently coached several teams in Brazil. With those options off the table, Martino’s name has emerged as a compelling possibility.

Martino coached Neymar and Messi together

Gerardo Martino is arguably the coach who knows Lionel Messi best. The two have worked together at three different teams, the first being Barcelona. Tata took charge of the club during the 2013–14 season, which also happened to be Neymar’s debut year in Europe. However, the season ended in disappointment, and Martino resigned shortly after.

He was quickly hired to lead the Argentina national team, where he remained for two years. During that span, the coach successfully implemented his tactical identity, but fell short of winning silverware. In both 2015 and 2016, Argentina lost back-to-back Copa America finals to Chile on penalties.

Messi and Martino reunited seven years later at Inter Miami. Determined to make the Argentine superstar feel at home, the club’s owners brought in not only his former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, but also a coach he trusted. This time, the results followed: the Herons lifted two trophies in just a year and a half.

“The reality is that, of the three opportunities we’ve had to work together, this has probably been the year and a half where we’ve been the closest, with much more frequent contact,” Martino said, reflecting on his time with Messi at Inter Miami.

Tata and Leo reunited in Miami for their third stint together, following previous partnerships at Barcelona during the 2013-14 season and with the Argentina national team from 2014 to 2016. “I feel it was the best moment of the three stages we had,” Martino stated, emphasizing the closeness they shared during this period.

The coach attributed this strengthened relationship to Messi’s personal and professional growth. “It has to do with the stage of his career, everything he had achieved with the Argentina national team, and the peace he was experiencing in his life,” Martino explained. “It also reflects his growth as a professional over the years.”

Breaking the news to Messi

Martino revealed details about his decision to step down. “To tone down rumors… I have to leave Inter Miami for strictly personal reasons. I can’t come back next year because I need to be in Rosario for personal matters,” the 62-year-old coach explained.

He disclosed that he made the decision before Inter Miami’s first playoff game vs. Atlanta United. “Of course, no one, not even my coaching staff, knew about this final decision. I didn’t want there to be any distractions,” Martino clarified.

Messi was among the first to hear the news. “Five or six days after our elimination, I met with Raul (Sanllehi, President of Football Operations), and talked to Leo, and Jorge (Mas, franchise owner). They were the first to know, between Friday and Saturday.” That means Messi learned about his resignation while in Buenos Aires with the Argentina national team, ahead of their match against Peru in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

A promising future for Inter Miami

As he concluded his press conference, Martino expressed optimism for the future of Inter Miami. “The club is moving forward, surely with many successes,” he said. Reports suggest that Martino’s replacement could be another familiar face for Messi: former Barcelona and Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano, who is expected to take over as head coach.

Martino earned a nomination for the MLS Coach of the Year award following an exceptional 2024 regular season with Inter Miami. Under his leadership, the team dominated the Eastern Conference, setting a record points total and claiming the Supporters’ Shield. However, when the league announced the voting results on Wednesday, ‘Tata’ fell short of securing the honor.

The 2024 Coach of the Year award went to Wilfried Nancy, who impressed voters with his outstanding work at Columbus Crew. Nancy’s team finished second in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing Inter Miami by eight points, before being eliminated in the Round of 16 on penalties against the New York Red Bulls.

What stands out is the breakdown of the voting results. The voting system is split into three groups: media analysts, club officials, and players. While Martino and Nancy were nearly tied in the media and club official votes, the players overwhelmingly favored the Columbus Crew manager. This decisive player support ultimately swung the outcome in his favor.

A new coach for Messi

Martino’s unexpected departure has sparked speculation about his replacement. With Lionel Messi at the center of the Herons’ strategy, it’s clear that finding a coach who aligns with Leo’s preferences will be a top priority.

Inter Miami’s recent decisions, including the signings of former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez, have centered on making Messi feel at home. It’s logical to assume that the search for a new coach will follow a similar approach, ensuring the team remains built around its global superstar.

Who could be Inter Miami’s new coach?

Two names have quickly emerged as leading contenders to replace Martino: Xavi Hernandez and Javier Mascherano. Both share deep connections with Messi, stemming from their years at Barcelona.

According to the Miami Herald, Xavi, who recently ended his tenure as Barcelona’s coach, and Mascherano, currently in charge of Argentina’s U-20 team, are strong candidates. Their shared history with Messi and understanding of his playing style make them natural fits for the role.

With David Beckham and Inter Miami’s executives eager to finalize their decision, the focus now shifts to planning for a challenging 2025 season. The Herons will compete in MLS, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, making the choice of coach even more critical.

According to MLS insider Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport, Martino cited personal reasons for his departure, leaving a void at the helm of a team that had high hopes for continued success in the upcoming season. In fact, the Argentine head coach was under contract with Inter Miami for one more year.

‘Tata’ Martino joined in mid-2023 as part of the Herons’ ambitious efforts to elevate the club to elite status. Alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Martino’s arrival marked a turning point in the franchise’s history.

The former Barcelona and Argentina national team coach wasted no time implementing his signature attacking philosophy, centered on ball possession and dynamic play. This tactical overhaul quickly bore fruit, as Inter Miami claimed their first-ever title by winning the 2023 Leagues Cup.

With another year under his belt and a roster bolstered by additional stars, including Luis Suarez, Martino guided Inter Miami to unprecedented success in the 2024 season. The Herons not only topped the Eastern Conference and captured the Supporters’ Shield but also shattered the league’s all-time points record, firmly establishing themselves as a dominant force in MLS.

Martino’s surprising departure

Despite an impressive regular season that saw Inter Miami dominate the MLS standings, their playoff campaign ended abruptly with a first-round loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium. The early exit was a bitter disappointment for a team that had set its sights on the championship.

Speaking candidly in the post-game press conference, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino admitted the team’s shortcomings. “If you think about the expectations we had for this playoff, we obviously fell too short,” he said. Reflecting further, he added, “In this last part of the year, we got used to achieving the goals we set ourselves, and the most important one we have not been able to achieve.”

Despite the setback, Martino struck a hopeful note about the club’s future, praising their progress. “I don’t think there is any reason for the club not to keep trying next year. Everything that has happened this year, the bad and the good, has been overall better than anything that happened last year, and I would say even since the life the club has had,” he remarked.

Given these comments, many believed Martino would remain with the franchise to pursue redemption in 2025. However, his recent decision to step down has left everyone surprised, marking the end of an era for the Herons.

“I joined Barcelona around the same time as Ney. It was a great year, and coaching players of that caliber will always be a special memory,” Martino began, carefully sidestepping any specific updates on whether there’s a realistic shot at bringing the Brazilian star over from Saudi soccer.

Martino also hinted at the excitement of potentially reuniting the famed MSN trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar from their Barcelona days. “Now that Leo and other guys have joined, it’s possible. What I can’t imagine is how it could happen if the league (MLS) doesn’t ease salary restrictions,” he added.

He went on to explain: “It’s easy to write or talk about in the media, but putting it into practice is another story. Nobody explains how it would work. The reality is MLS rules are strict and can’t be bent, unless they choose to change them.”

Following a year sidelined with a meniscus injury, Neymar’s priority is regaining form with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, which would also put him back on track for a spot with the Brazilian national team.

MLS to decide Neymar’s arrival

Whether Inter Miami can pursue Neymar will ultimately be determined by MLS, which would need to adjust its salary cap regulations. In fact, to sign Suarez earlier this year, Inter Miami had to release as many as seven players to fit the Uruguayan star within the team’s salary framework without breaching MLS’s cap.

The legendary stats of MSN

During their three seasons together, Barcelona’s famous MSN trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar left a lasting legacy. They secured nine trophies: one Champions League, one Club World Cup, two La Liga titles, a UEFA Super Cup, a Spanish Super Cup, and three Copa del Rey titles.

Over those three seasons, they scored a combined 364 goals and recorded 201 assists, with their highest-scoring season in 2015-16, when they notched an incredible 131 goals.

It may be hard to argue that point. Messi, in a period of one week, scored 6 goals in two matches: first, a hat trick against Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, and then another hat trick to close out the MLS regular season against the New England Revolution.

Ballon d’Or candidate and leading contender to win this year’s award, Vinícius Júnior, is also coming off a hat trick of his own in the UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund. While the Ballon d’Or will focus on those players playing in Europe, for Tata Martino, the “meaning” of the award is still debatable.

For Tata Martino, Lionel Messi is the Best in the World

Speaking to the media ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS playoff clash against Atlanta United, Martino’s old MLS club, Tata spoke about the Ballon d’Or and how it’s determined: “I never understood if the (Ballon d’Or) is for the best player in the world or the best player of (a given season). And there is the difference right there.

“Probably Vinícius has the merit of being the best (player last season), but if you ask me who is the best player in the world (overall), it’s Lionel Messi.”

Martino later added, “I ask (the journalist) who is the player that receives the ball 25 meters away from goal and has seven players marking him and you have the sensation that there might be a goal?” alluding to Lionel Messi.

Since returning from his ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final, Messi scored two goals on his return against the Philadelphia Union.

With Inter Miami having the Supporters’ Shield nearly locked up, and a deeper squad that features Luis Suarez, Federico Redondo, and Leo Campana, Tata Martino feels that Messi just needs to play to be 100% fit for the playoffs.

Tata Martino on Lionel Messi’s Fitness

In a press conference, Martino was firm that, “We are confident that (Messi) will arrive in very good shape for the playoffs.” Martino stressed that what Messi needs isn’t minutes managing but simply playing competitive minutes.

Inter Miami has four games remaining in their regular season, and Messi will also have South American World Cup qualifiers with Argentina in October.

Inter Miami’s next match will be against Charlotte FC on Saturday, a game Messi is expected to start in.

Despite a fantastic return, rumors have spread about bringing Lionel Messi back slowly. With Inter Miami set for two road games this week—on Wednesday in Atlanta against ailing Atlanta United and on Saturday against NYCFC in a baseball stadium—a rest might be in order.

Tata Martino spoke to the press today ahead of the games against Atlanta United and New York City FC and made it clear that Messi is going on the road.

Tata Martino on Lionel Messi

“The team (against Atlanta United) we will determine after today’s training session… those who will not travel are the suspended players and David Martinez,” Martino affirmed.

When asked about Lionel Messi, Martino said, “(Messi) finished tired after the first game back but he is feeling fine.” Messi is confirmed to travel with the team for both away games, where big crowds are expected at each match.