Javier Mascherano stunned the MLS world on Tuesday by announcing his abrupt resignation as head coach of the reigning Cup champions for "personal reasons."
In his place steps, at least on an interim basis, Sporting Director and former Barcelona academy coach Guillermo Hoyos.
The 62-year-old former Real Madrid B and Boca Juniors midfielder has spent most of his career as a head coach in Greece, Bolivia, and Argentina , along with stints in Mexico , Cyprus, Colombia , and the U.S.
Mascherano led Miami to its first MLS Cup Final win in 2025 -Credit:Rich Storry/Getty Images
Hoyos takes charge of the Eastern Conference's third-placed side ahead of a trip to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, in which he'll coach, among others, Lionel Messi .
The two Argentinians go way back to Messi's days at La Masia, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner even having called Hoyos his " footballing godfather " in 2010.
This relationship could, in theory, become an issue if it were to get in the way of Hoyos' ability to take an unbiased view when coaching. However, he seemed unconcerned when asked about the situation on Tuesday.
"Friendship isn't something to be negotiated. There's also a friendship we've shared over the years," he said, via Marca . "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. 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."
Hoyos emphasized how "grateful" he was to be working with Messi again later in the press conference when quizzed on Miami's future beyond the 38-year-old FIFA World Cup winner, saying, "I think we have to enjoy what we have and not get ahead of ourselves because that would be a mistake.
"Today, things need to happen just as God has planned. I think we have to enjoy it because today you have a player who is the best in history and who has a dimension in the world that almost no one else has. He reaches five billion people, and that is truly extraordinary.
"And then I think we have to enjoy it a lot. And I'm sure that the people who manage the club have different situations in mind. So we have to enjoy it and support him in everything."
As for Hoyos' own standing at the club, and how long his tenure as head coach could last, it seems he is simply taking it one day at a time and enjoying the moment.
"I am at the service of the club. And that makes me have this situation today," he said. "A couple of days ago, I had another situation. I am at the service of the club for whatever they want."
