Javier Mascherano vows he won't 'jeopardise relationship' with Lionel Messi & ex-Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami as new boss responds to nepotism suggestions

The Herons chose to shake up their backroom staff after their unexpected early exit from the MLS playoffs in 2024, as Tata Martino left the manager's job after being in charge of the team for the last two seasons. The MLS club acted swiftly after the Argentine's departure as they hired former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Mascherano as their new head coach.

This will be Mascherano's maiden coaching stint in senior football as the 40-year-old had only managed youth teams of the Argentina national side. The new Inter Miami boss has his task cut out but he will have some friendly faces in former Blaugrana team-mates Messi, Luis Suarez, Busquets and Jordi Alba in the dressing room.

In his first press conference after taking charge of the club, the ex-Argentina star spoke about how he plans to function in the dressing room amid nepotism suggestions as he said: "I told them that I’m not going to walk into the dressing room and act like we’re not friends. I told Jorge (Mas), I told Leo and the other guys, that I’m not going to jeopardise the relationship that I have built with them over the years for a job. I’m not like that. Life goes on beyond football."

Mascherano will aim to build on the club's MLS Supporters' Shield win from last season and hope that Messi and Co. finally deliver the much-awaited MLS Trophy in the upcoming season.