How Mascherano won over Inter Miami, their fans and MLS Cup

"Why Mascherano, he brings to the club the uncommon experience of having worked with the young players and with the most important players of this club. He understood the concern. He embraced the doubt. I understood that when there is criticism, it's often not directed at the person, it's not a personal issue, but rather a reflection of the position you're in."

"I'm not one to play the victim; I don't like that profile. I tried to understand the context, and it seemed perfectly normal to me. A new, young coach comes in after a very experienced coach, like Gerardo Martino, who hadn't done well in terms of results or what was expected with the Argentine youth teams. It was understandable that people, the press, and public opinion might have doubts about me."

"And I think that ultimately makes you improve as a professional. In other words, if you enter a context where people doubt you, well, you have to do something to prove yourself and earn their trust. Mascherano did just that, leading the Herons to an MLS Cup triumph."

Inter Miami appointed Javier Mascherano as manager in November 2024, sparking questions about his qualifications given his inexperience in senior management and limited coaching background with Argentina's youth teams. His predecessor, Gerardo Martino, had extensive experience managing top clubs and national teams but failed to deliver results. Co-owner Jorge Mas defended the hiring, citing Mascherano's unique experience with both young players and the club's star players. Mascherano acknowledged the skepticism, viewing criticism as constructive rather than personal. He recognized that doubt motivated professional improvement and understood the context of replacing an experienced coach. Rather than playing victim, he focused on earning trust through performance and ultimately delivered success.

Read at ESPN.com