DALLAS — Former Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano hopes to return to coaching soon and left the door open on a return to Major League Soccer.
Mascherano lifted MLS Cup in December 2025, pushing a team that included former Argentina and FC Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi to its first league title. He quit the role in April 2026, citing personal reasons.
But with more distance from the day-to-day work, Mascherano is having conversations with clubs and preparing a return to the tactical area.
"I’ll definitely go back to coaching at some point because soccer is my life. It’s what I like the most, and it’s difficult to be able to leave it aside when it’s what you are so passionate about," Mascherano told USA TODAY Sports at "El Partidazo", an Atletico
Madrid vs. FC Barcelona watch party organized by La Liga.
Where Mascherano's next destination might be isn't clear. After a decorated playing career with stops at Liverpool and Barcelona and saw him play 147 matches for Argentina, he transitioned into coaching with the Argentina national team. He then took over a Miami team that included many of his former club teammates, with midfielder Sergio Busquets, left back Jordi Alba and forward Luis Suarez all contributing to the title run in addition to Messi.
Whether or not he would take a job at a club in his native country or is seeking something in Europe, he is open to a return to North America.
"We’ll see," he said when asked if he'd take another MLS job. "Honestly, it was a very good experience in the United States. I liked MLS a lot. I’ve had some chats with a few teams, but right now I prefer not to coach. A bit later on, and we’ll see."
Inter Miami went through a transition period after Mascherano's departure, which came less than a month after a frustrating Concacaf Champions Cup exit to Nashville SC but in the midst of an unbeaten run in MLS play. Guillermo Hoyos left the front office to manage the team, which particularly struggled after the World Cup break, winning just one MLS match of 10 played between July 31 and Sept. 26. In addition to coming after the World Cup, that stretch coincided with the death of Messi's father.
Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez replaced Hoyos in mid-September and has somewhat righted the ship with Miami entering the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
But Mascherano said that the decision to step away was one he needed to make, even as he prepares for another managerial role.
"It was a personal decision. I needed to be closer to my family. Ultimately, I think that’s the most important thing we have in life," he said. "Now, six or seven months after I stopped coaching, I’m seeing if a possibility for the upcoming season comes up."
In addition to leading the Herons to the MLS Cup, Mascherano has experience with the Argentina U-23 and U-20 team, where he worked with players like Nico Paz, Valentin Barco and Agustin Giay who are now earning opportunities with the senior side.
Messi recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, leading to some uncertainty about where the team will turn after a 2026 World Cup in which the 39-year-old star was still the team's key player. Mascherano, who played in four World Cup tournaments for Argentina, said he was sad to see a chapter close but has faith in the players who will collectively work to cover the veteran's absence.
"Argentina has the obligation to compete," Mascherano said. "Of course, maybe it’s very difficult right now, with it so recent, to imagine what’s going to happen now that Messi won’t be there any more but above all I think Argentina has good players, it has a very good manager and I think from there they can put together a great national team."
Mascherano knows he has work to do to earn that same type of praise from other colleagues, but he is ready to get back on the touchline and go to work when the right opportunity presents itself.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ex-Inter Miami boss Mascherano ready to coach again, open to MLS return
