Mascherano compares coaching Messi to… Otamendi
Inter Miami’s new coach has assured that his friendly relationship with his compatriots has never affected, nor will it affect, his decisions as coach
Javier Mascherano was presented this Tuesday as the new coach of Inter Miami , and he himself began by talking about the good relationship he has with Messi and other former teammates at Barcelona .
The 40-year-old coach guaranteed that this will in no way affect his decisions on and off the field and even used the example of Benfica captain Otamendi at the Olympic Games, where he was his undisputed starter.
“ I have never denied my relationship with Messi and I will never deny it. And there are three other players in the squad who I have played with for a long time [Suárez, Alba and Busquets ]. I can’t deny that we have a friendship. At the Olympic Games it was my turn to coach Otamendi, a friend of mine. There is no problem at all. Things are separated. It is easier when you have the opportunity to be close to the player. I had to make difficult decisions. That is why they hired me, but it is not difficult for me not to mix things up. My relationship will continue the same way,” began by saying Tata Martino’s successor, in a press conference, before addressing the North American club’s last season, in which they were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs , despite finishing first in the regular phase.
“The regular season was brilliant, breaking records. We shouldn’t just focus on the last stage. The team performed at a high level throughout the year, even with Messi out for a while. Of course there are things that need improving and we will try to work on them, but we have a very good squad, perhaps with some details that need improving, but which will continue to be competitive,” he assured, without promising any titles.
“It would be hypocritical to promise titles. What we need to do is work to have a competitive team. The club’s objective is to fight for all competitions, wherever they may be. Fight until the last moment. Always have a chance of winning the title,” he explained, revealing the team’s objectives for the Club World Cup , in which they could face Benfica or FC Porto .
“This season we have the Club World Cup , where we will face more powerful teams with a lot of history, but we have to arm ourselves as best we can to compete with our weapons. We are in a position to compete on equal terms and to be able to go all the way with the ambition of winning titles,” he concluded.
