Following Javier Mascherano's departure, Inter Miami officially introduced Argentine Guillermo Hoyos as the new head coach, who had previously served as the club’s sporting director.
Ahead of this new challenge, the new coach of the Garzas spoke with the press and discussed how his relationship with team captain Lionel Messi will be affected moving forward as the club embarks on this new chapter.
Hoyos talks about his relationship with Messi
With over 20 years of experience as a soccer player, Hoyos has also built a solid career off the field as a coach and sporting director.
Furthermore, his strong commitment to developing young talent led him to Barcelona, where he met Lionel Messi, who was taking his first steps at the club.
In his first official statements, Hoyos emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in a competitive project. He also stated that coaching Messi is “a great blessing” and that caution will be key:
"Friendship isn't something to be negotiated. There's also a friendship we've shared over the years. And a friendship we have with many players, because we've worked in different countries. That friendship doesn't mean we can be all over him every day,” he revealed.
"We have to respect everything-privacy and what we have. We have to be very prudent and, above all, proceed quietly, trying to grow and develop this approach, because all of this is new. Being with the best player in history on the field is something extraordinary. I'm very grateful,” he added.
This connection, which Leo himself has acknowledged in the past -even going so far as to describe Hoyos as one of his “soccer fathers“- could be key not only to bringing stability to the locker room but also to facilitating the transition in this new phase for the team.
For his part, Alberto Marrero will take over the role of sporting director vacated by Hoyos.
Currently, the team has a record of three wins, three draws, and one loss in the seven matches they’ve played this MLS season. Now, Inter Miami will face the Colorado Rapids this Saturday, the 18th, at 4:30 PM ET in what will be the first match with Hoyos at the helm.
