Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Inter Miami Coach Gets Honest- 'Things Weren't Working Out For Me'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Dec 7, 2025 10:51 AM ET

Over the past two years, Inter Miami has been considered the clear favorite to win the MLS Cup following the signing of Lionel Messi. After falling short in their first season, which included winning the Supporters' Shield, Inter Miami finally won the MLS Cup.

One of the key factors of this historic win is the head coach of Inter Miami, Javier Mascherano. Mascherano was named as Inter Miami's head coach in late November 2024 and started his role in January 2025.

During the early parts of the 2025 MLS season, there were lots of questions and concerns surrounding Mascherano's coaching experience for Inter Miami.

After Inter Miami's MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, Mascherano reflected on the year, which was his first full season as a manager of a club.

Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami CF, celebrates after winning the Championship following the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Mascherano said, "I understand that since I arrived, there were always doubts because it was my first season as a team coach. I always told the truth and never hid it: I haven't had very good results at the youth team level, it wasn't working out for me."

Mascherano on Inter Miami's 2025

Inter Miami ends the year by winning the MLS Cup, and Mascherano mentions that it was the title that the club was aiming for despite missing out on other trophies like the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami were eliminated in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals after losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-1 on aggregate in April. Inter Miami then lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders in the 2025 Leagues Cup Final in August.

Mascherano speaks about those moments and talks about the importance of the MLS Cup win.

Mascherano said, "It's been 11 months where we worked a lot. There were good moments, bad moments. This is all on the players... We lost out on the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier in the year, we lost out on the Leagues Cup, but this one, we couldn't lose out on, in front of our home fans, in front of our families."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: