Inter Miami CF Names Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino as Head Coach
Inter Miami CF announced today that it has named MLS Cup winner, two-time manager at a FIFA World Cup, three-time Conmebol Copa América finalist, Concacaf Gold Cup winner and former FC Barcelona and Argentina National Team manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino as its head coach. The Argentine will assume coaching responsibilities upon the receipt of his work documentation.
“We are very happy to be able to welcome Tata to Inter Miami. We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about what we can accomplish together,” said Managing Owner Jorge Mas. “Tata has coached at the highest levels and we believe that experience will be hugely beneficial to us as we aim to compete for titles here.”
“Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose track record speaks for itself,” said Co-Owner David Beckham. “We are confident that his achievements in the game and experience as a head coach will inspire our team and excite our fans and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on and off the field.”
“Tata has a proven track record of success in this league and on several other major stages of soccer. He knows what it takes to win in MLS and we’re confident that’s what he’ll bring to Inter Miami,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.
“I’m very excited to join a big club like Inter Miami and I know together we can accomplish many great things,” said incoming Inter Miami CF head coach Martino. “The Club has the necessary infrastructure to be a major competitor in the region and I believe that with everyone’s hard work and commitment we can get there.”
Martino brings to the Club a plethora of experience and success both in MLS and worldwide, having managed over 400 games in over two decades of his managerial career. The Argentine manager has coached in two FIFA World Cups, four Conmebol Copa Américas – reaching three finals – and two Concacaf Gold Cups – winning the 2019 edition of the competition – between his stints with the Paraguayan, Argentinian and Mexican national teams. On the club side, he has managed in some of the most prestigious competitions in the world, managing in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League while at FC Barcelona, and also previously having managed in the Conmebol Copa Libertadores. His trophy collection includes the 2018 MLS Cup, the 2013 Supercopa de España, the 2013 Argentine First Division Torneo Final title, and four Paraguayan First Division titles. Individually, meanwhile, Martino was named the MLS Coach of the Year in 2018 and the South American Coach of the Year in 2007.
At club level, Tata, 60, most recently managed Atlanta United during the organization’s first two years in the league, enjoying a successful stay by helping the club win the MLS Cup in 2018. During that period, he managed Inter Miami forward Josef Martínez, who scored 31 goals in MLS regular season play in 2018, which broke the scoring record at the time, before adding four goals in MLS Cup Playoffs to bring his combined total for the campaign to 35 to help Atlanta clinch the MLS Cup title.
Prior to coming stateside, Martino managed Spanish giants FC Barcelona during the 2013-14 season, winning the 2013 Supercopa de España title, while finishing runners-up in the Copa del Rey and finishing second in the league with a league-high 100 goals and league-best +67 goal differential. Martino had previously managed Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys in a successful stint from 2012 to 2013, helping the side turn the season around after initially being in relegation spots when he first arrived in the 2012 Torneo Clausura, and eventually helping the team win the 2013 Torneo Final title. Martino also helped Newell’s reach the semifinals of the prestigious Conmebol Copa Libertadores in 2013.
Earlier in his career, the Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina native had started to build his reputation in South America by finding success in Paraguay. Martino guided Club Libertad to three Paraguayan First Division crowns (2002, 2003, 2006) during his two spells managing the side between 2002 and 2003 and 2005 to 2006, and helped Cerro Porteño win the league title in 2004 when he was in charge from 2003 to 2004.
On the international arena, Tata first managed Paraguay in a successful four year period from 2007 to 2011, leading La Albirroja to a historic spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals – the best finish for the country in a World Cup – and taking the team to the quarterfinals in the 2007 Conmebol Copa América and the final in the 2011 Copa América, while also being rewarded by being named South American Coach of the Year in 2007 in the process.
Martino then assumed the helm of the national team of his native Argentina for two years from 2014 to 2016, leading La Albiceleste to two consecutive finals at the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Conmebol Copa América. Notably, Martino helped Argentina top the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years in July 2015 after last being number one in the ranking in June 2008. Overall, he registered 20 wins, five losses and four draws during his time with the Argentina national team. Most recently, Tata managed Mexico from 2019 to 2022. In that time, he guided the team to the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup title and to the 2021 Gold Cup final, to the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final, and qualified Mexico for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Prior to his managerial career, Martino enjoyed a playing career that spanned over 15 years. He holds the record for all time appearances for Newell’s Old Boys with a total of 505 official appearances for the team with which he won three Argentine First Division titles. He also represented Argentina’s national team at the youth and senior level.
Martino will be joined by a staff including assistant coach Jorge Theiler, fitness coaches Rodolfo Paladini and Jose Manuel Alfaro, and video analyst Damian Silvero. Theiler, Paladini, Alfaro and Silvero will also join the Club upon receipt of their work documentation.
