One thing’s for sure: Inter Miami CF and Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will forever be linked.
While the Argentine manager stepped away from the club on Friday for personal reasons, he left a notable legacy. After joining in June 2023, Martino helped Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup crown before capturing the Supporters’ Shield with an MLS single-season points record (74) in 2024.
“No one on my staff knew about this final decision,” Martino told reporters during his farewell press conference at Chase Stadium.
“I didn’t want to create a distraction. Inter Miami is a very demanding environment. It can be entrapping. But I’m very happy to have been part of the club’s turnaround.”
Bond with Messi
The 61-year-old led Miami’s contending shift by linking up with superstar Lionel Messi for a third time, following stints with the Argentina national team and FC Barcelona. Fellow legendary Barça alums Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba also formed part of the club’s ambitious project under Martino.
“The truth is, I believe that out of the three opportunities we’ve had to work together, this has probably been the year and a half where we’ve been the closest, with much more frequent and direct contact,” Tata said of the legendary No. 10. “It also has to do with the stage of his career, everything he was achieving with the Argentina national team, the peace he was experiencing, and his growth as a professional.
“We found ourselves at a good moment for both of us and maintained very close contact throughout this year and a half. In this sense, I feel it was the best period of the three stages we’ve shared: Barcelona, the Argentina national team, and now Inter Miami.”
Expectations fall short
Though Messi and the rest of the so-called “Big Four” were Miami’s main attraction, Martino also ushered in young players – including Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo and Benjamin Cremaschi, among others – to great effect.
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