Hoyos: Friendship Won’t Stop Me Pushing Messi Hard at Inter Miami

Inter Miami name sporting director Hoyos as Coach until mid-season

Guillermo Hoyos, Lionel Messi’s ex-Barcelona youth coach, is named Inter Miami head coach after Javier Mascherano’s exit. Hoyos vows no special treatment.

Longtime Lionel Messi friend Guillermo Hoyos confirmed as new coach of Inter Miami

Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him from working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday.

Hoyos, previously Miami's sporting director, replaces Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for “personal reasons” Tuesday just four months after guiding the club to its first MLS Cup title.

The 62-year-old Hoyos was a key former mentor of Messi in Barcelona's youth setup more than two decades ago, and the Argentine pair have remained close ever since.

“Friendship is non-negotiable. We share a friendship that spans many years,” said Hoyos, speaking in Spanish, at his first press conference.

Guillermo Hoyos led his first training session as the new head coach, with the team focusing on the upcoming match in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/FGKNijQ2zk

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 14, 2026

“However, that friendship does not mean that we will be constantly hovering over him or in his face every single day.”

A club statement initially said Hoyos would take charge of the team for the “upcoming matches,” but the team has since referred to him as head coach in social media posts.

Report says that Hoyos is expected to remain at the helm only until the middle of the year, with a new coaching setup in place by the start of the Leagues Cup in August.

After seven rounds this season, Inter Miami sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Messi, a 2022 World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, is the jewel in the crown of Miami's squad.