Not even Lionel Messi can help Inter Miami climb out of the hole they find themselves in. Winless in their last five outings across all competitions, the Herons have yet to the firing of head coach Guillermo Hoyos, but it seems the die is already cast. Losing another pathway to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup didn’t help much, either. In fact, a report suggests the club has landed on its successor.
According to a report from Argentine transfer-market specialist Cesar Luis Merlo on Tribuna.com, Cristian Gonzalez is becoming the new head coach of Inter Miami, taking over after Hoyos’ stint with the South Florida-based MLS organization.
The report raises eyebrows, as the Herons have yet to announce Hoyos’ firing or parting ways with him as manager. It’s a typical gentleman’s agreement in soccer for managers not to sign with or accept a job when there’s already a coach in place. The fact that both Hoyos and Gonzalez are Argentine adds another layer to the drama in the Magic City.
Another Argentine in Miami
If confirmed, Gonzalez could extend a long-standing tradition for Inter Miami. Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez could become the fifth straight Argentine manager to take over the reins in Miami. In fact, since Messi arrived in South Beach, he’s only been coached by fellow countrymen.
Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez during a game.
From Javier Morales, who lasted a little over a month between June and July 2023 (didn’t coach Messi), to Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Javier Mascherano, and Hoyos, Inter Miami has been under the guidance of an Argentine head coach for a while now. If Gonzalez is indeed Hoyos’ successor, the streak will only continue.
Gonzalez would be an unexpected hiring
While the hiring of Martino and Mascherano made a lot of sense due to their relationship with Messi and how long they had known the Argentine ace, Gonzalez would bring a whole different style of soccer.
Martino is a product of Newell’s Old Boys, the same club Messi played for at a very young age during his childhood in Rosario, and coached Messi at Barcelona and with Argentina’s national team. Mascherano played alongside Messi for a very long time, both at Barça and with La Albiceleste.
Born in Rosario as well, Gonzalez is a product of the other major soccer club in town, Rosario Central, whose soccer philosophy is starkly opposed to Newell’s and the one Messi and Martino shared.
Gonzalez’s head-coaching track record
Gonzalez had his first coaching experience with his boyhood club, Rosario Central, in the top flight of Argentine soccer. He never managed to find his footing and was fired after roughly two years following a deflating derby loss against Newell’s Old Boys.
Gonzalez would go on to be hired by Union, also in Argentina’s top division. He saved the team from relegation in 2023 and clinched an international cup berth in 2024. However, he announced his departure in April 2025 due to poor results. Gonzalez’s last stint was with Platense, also in Argentina’s top division. He lasted a little over four months before he was asked to step aside.
If Gonzalez is hired by Inter Miami, it would be curious to see how him and Messi get along and what product the Herons put out on the pitch. Maybe the shootout-type games in which Inter Miami appeared to dismiss playing defense will be long gone. Only time will tell. First things first, though, the club must announce an official decision on Hoyos’ stint as head coach.
Hoyos’ numbers as head coach in Miami
According to Transfermarkt, Hoyos has coached Inter Miami in 17 games, including the 2026 MLS season and Leagues Cup. Hoyos’ Herons got off to a hot start, going 8-1-1 (W-T-L) in their first 10 games.
However, Inter have gone 1-2-4 since, including a disappointing early exit from the Leagues Cup. All signs indicate Hoyos’ days in the 305 are numbered, and Gonzalez is reportedly taking over.
