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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

David Beckham might have just given Lionel Messi and Inter Miami exactly what they need

David Beckham faced the unenviable task of sacking his close friend at the beginning of June when Phil Neville's reign at Inter Miami came to an end.

On the pitch, things have taken a turn for the worse with the Herons bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference and still seeking a first win since sacking Neville. But transfer news off the pitch has been a lot more exciting.

Lionel Messi has already confirmed he will be playing for Miami soon while Sergio Busquets could also join. And the appointment of Gerardo 'Tata' Martino could be the cherry on top of the cake.

Unveiling the capture, Beckham said: "Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose track record speaks for itself. We are confident that his achievements in the game and experience as a head coach will inspire our team and excite our fans and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on and off the field."

ALSO READ: Lingard training at Inter Miami

Indeed, Martino's coaching pedigree in world football is more impressive than Neville's. He managed Barcelona, and Messi, in the 2013/14 season. Winning just the Spanish Super Cup was a disappointment for a club with such a rich heritage and Martino does not look back on the spell with fond memories either.

But his relationship with Messi grew during his time at the Catalan club. Even before his appointment, the World Cup winner had given his stamp of approval to Tata.

"I like Tata Martino. He is a great coach and he showed that in the Clausura with what he did for the team, the way it ended and how he did it," Messi told Diario Ole after being asked about Martino's accomplishments with Newell's Old Boys. "He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him."

This will be music to the ears of Beckham because, as we have seen with Cristiano Ronaldo's later career, if the star player is not on board with the head coach things can soon turn nasty. What's more, Martino has experience in the MLS too.

In his one season at Atlanta United in 2018, he led the team to the MLS Cup. One word of warning to the Herons would be about Tata's lack of longevity at his previous clubs. He rarely lasts more than one season at a club but did spend the past three years with the Mexican national team and so at 60 is perhaps is looking to settle. On the face of things, Beckham looks to have finally found the right man to grow Inter Miami.

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