Inter Miami must make major decision that Lionel Messi won’t like, but they can no longer wait
It’s become clear what Miami’s biggest problem is, and the club must soon take action before their season crumbles.
From a small picture perspective, things aren’t actually that bad for Inter Miami . They sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, in what would be a prime position during the MLS Playoffs . From a big picture perspective, the club is in absolute shambles.
Inter Miami haven’t won a game since August 5 . Since then, they’ve played five games and lost four of them . They’ve given up 13 goals in those games. And what’s worse is that Lionel Messi only missed one of those games; even with their superstar captain back for the past four games, the team can’t stop their slide.
Naturally, plenty of finger-pointing has begun. The defensive back line has never been a strength of the team, but it seems almost impossible to defend so poorly , especially with defensive midfielder Casemiro being brought into the squad. That has many fans pointing the finger at Guillermo Hoyos , the manager who replaced Javier Mascherano when the latter resigned in April.
Guillermo Hoyos doesn't appear to be a manager who can turn things around for Inter Miami
Hoyos has had a long but not overly successful managerial career , unable to stay with a club for very long and never managing any elite teams. But Hoyos has what many other managers don’t: A personal relationship with Messi that spans across two decades . Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to win games .
The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas recently delved into why Hoyos was “ an unserious hire blessed by Messi ” who was simply under qualified. And if Miami want to turn things around, they likely have to remove him from the position.
“Trust in God” was one of Hoyos’ solutions to Miami’s current run of results. He also blamed the congested football calendar and heat and humidity of South Florida as reasons for his team’s below-average play. Those are valid points, but the calendar and weather are two factors that Hoyos cannot control or change. He can improve Miami’s tactics or find new ways to motivate a team that includes World Cup winners and experienced internationals. But therein lies the problem. Hoyos’ coaching resumé wouldn’t get him through the door at any of the 10 biggest clubs in the world. It wouldn’t get him a job in MLS other than the one he has in Miami… Miami’s laundry list of tactical problems appears too much for Hoyos and his staff to solve.
Miami have long done what they believe would appease Messi and keep him happy . So far, that has worked out swimmingly. But this is a situation that may not be able to be corrected by Hoyos, and the club must take action sooner than later.
