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Gerardo Martino is back in Major League Soccer -- and this time, he'll be coaching Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami on Wednesday announced Martino's as their new head coach, confirming rumors that had been swirling for weeks as to Phil Neville's replacement. Martino will return to MLS after a five-year absence, during which he managed the Mexico national team and won a CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Martino and Messi working together for the third time
Martino's return to Major League Soccer nearly coincides with Messi's debut in North American soccer -- which is still poised to be the Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul on July 21.
Martino and Messi worked together at FC Barcelona during the 2013/14 season, which saw the Blaugrana lose LaLiga to Atlético Madrid on the season's final day. Barça were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by the same opponent and lost the Copa del Rey final to archrivals Real Madrid.
Martino also coached Messi for two years with the Argentina national team, guiding the side to Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.
Tata seeking more MLS success
Martino led Atlanta United as its first-ever coach and guided the expansion franchise to the MLS Cup in 2018 -- after which he stepped down to take the Mexico job, in which he remained through the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Martino has won 54 percent of the MLS games he's coached, which could give comfort to Inter Miami fans tired of seeing their team languish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
While contracted to El Tri, Tata won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019, and Mexico returned to the final in 2021 -- only to lose to the United States.