Messi’s longtime coach at Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami reportedly targeted by Neymar’s Santos

Neymar Jr.’s return to Brazilian soccer has been far more challenging than expected. The 33-year-old forward has dealt with recurring injuries—the latest forcing Ney off the pitch in tears during Santos’ win over Atletico Mineiro. On top of that, the team’s performances have been disappointing, prompting executives to pursue a coaching change—and one of their top targets is a former manager of Lionel Messi with Argentina, Barcelona and Inter Miami.

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.

Gerardo Martino and Neymar Jr. during their time together at Barcelona.

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.

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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.