Tata Martino: Inter Miami coach eyes “beautiful challenges” in MLS return

Almost five years later, Martino is back in the league hoping to recreate that same magic with Inter Miami CF.

“You remember those great moments,” Martino, still a cult-like figure for the Five Stripes, said Thursday during his introductory press conference as the Herons’ new head coach. “And so sometimes you have dreams of being able to replicate them in other places.”

Martino, announced Wednesday afternoon as the third coach in Miami’s four-year history, returns to MLS with excitement and eagerness. That emanates from the Herons, who in early June parted ways with Phil Neville and appointed Javier Morales on an interim basis. Now, their vacancy is filled.

“We had targets and Tata was the target we wanted,” said chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson, before thanking the club’s owners.

“We’re so happy to be able to get it over the line in working with David Beckham, Jorge and Jose Mas, working together with leadership at the club. We were able to bring in a winner, someone who’s won, someone with experience who can come and take a group, climb the table.”