Former Argentina international Javier Mascherano is set to become the new manager of Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami, according to journalist Cesat Luiz Merlo.
Following the departure of Gerardo Martino for personal reasons earlier this week, Miami have been linked with several potential replacements, including Xavi Hernandez and Matias Almeyda.
Marcello Gallardo and Federico Higuain were also touted as potential candidates, but Mascherano is now on the verge of winning the race to take the reins at the Chase Stadium.
The ex-defender currently manages the Argentina Under-23 side and led them to a quarter-final finish at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris, where they were knocked out by France.
Mascherano’s appointment would reunite him with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba after their time together in Barcelona.
He won five La Liga titles and the Champions League twice prior to leaving in 2018.
Despite finishing top of the regular season and winning the Supporters’ Shield last time out, Miami were knocked out of the first round of the MLS play-offs by Atlanta United in a best-of-three series.
A 2-1 victory in the first leg was soon cancelled out by a 2-1 defeat in the subsequent meeting. The Herons suffered a 3-2 loss in the decider on November 10.
However, Inter’s heroics in the regular season have earned them a place at next year’s revamped Club World Cup tournament on home soil.
The tournament will give Mashcerano an early opportunity to test himself against the top clubs in the world.
