Gerardo Tata Martino is the new coach of Inter Miami, where he will meet again with Lionel Messi after sharing the squad in Barcelona and the Argentine National Team. The Rosario coach was announced on Wednesday and a day later gave his first press conference, in which he spoke of the present and future of the team, which is located last in the league but is preparing to receive top reinforcements such as Leo and Sergio Busquets.
In his talk with local media, most of them Latino, Tata recalled his successful time at Atlanta United, between 2016 and 2018, highlighted the growth that football is having in that country and reflected on the arrival "of the best player in the world", as he described Leo. Of course, he clarified that when he gave the "ok" to the directors of Inter Miami it was not yet confirmed that the Argentine captain plays in the United States.
"I spent two nice years in Atlanta and I understand that the experience is different but after the talks with the directors of the club I understood that it was time to come," said Tata, smiling and very friendly, needing a translator before each intervention in a conference that was broadcast live on the club's social networks.
Gerardo "Tata" Martino speaks to the press at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium. Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.
"Patience is a key word but it is true that people demand immediate results. The circumstances are what they are. Today we have a problem, we come to be part of the problem and we hope that soon we will be part of the solution. We have a lot of expectations for what can happen," Tata said about the current situation of Inter Miami, which is last in the Eastern Conference, 11 points from the playoff qualifying places.
"The experience of taking a team in the middle of the season happened to me few times, we probably need some time to finish having the full team," acknowledged Tata then, who will debut on the bench this Saturday, July 1 hosting Austin.
Tata Martino and Messi's arrival at Inter Miami
Tata was asked about this reunion with Messi, and the doubt was to know if in Miami they will have less pressure than they had to live in Barcelona and Argentina. Tata strongly disagreed with that consideration. "Actually, I think for those of us who are used to racing, the way to run this race is one. When we talk to Leo or Sergio (Busquets), the idea is to compete and do well. That happens to us on a personal level. Sometimes it is associated with the United States, Miami, 'holidays' (sic)... That is not the case. They come from competing, they were world champions, from their leagues. They have the desire to compete in their blood," Martino said.
Tata's sporting objective is to try to recover positions in the league, play the semifinals of the US Open Cup (on August 23, against Cincinnati) and the start of the Leagues Cup, against CONCACAF rivals (on July 21, against Cruz Azul, when Messi would debut). Tata is considering short, medium and long-term deadlines: "For this year the goal is to try to reach the league playoffs. It seems distant but we will try to try. The Cup has us in a privileged position. And now in a few weeks another tournament begins that generates illusion. But the biggest challenge is putting together a team between now and the start of the 2024 season, which is the one that will definitely represent Inter Miami."
He then added, "I always found this MLS opportunity attractive because of what I experienced in Atlanta. I am in love with this league, because of the competition it has. Gifts started coming later, and welcome. Hopefully we can take advantage of them. I started with the talks before (that Messi was known). Leo's and Sergio's started after mine."
Gerardo Tata Martino and his new project, at 60 years of age. Photo: EFE/ Inter Miami CF,
"The country is convulsed, I have read players from the NFL or the NBA talking about the arrival of Messi, which is something rare. Actually, MLS has been growing since before and the sample is that there are many American players playing in Europe for a long time. This closes a circle. That the best footballer in the world decides to play here is a symptom, and this country is not going to miss it. Messi's arrival is going to make MLS even better," he said.
In that sense, Tata summarized in a few words what he finds most attractive about MLS. "First, that it's a league that's permanently concerned with evolving and growing, that's very good. Second, it has many rules but they are so clear that it leaves you no room to complain but you just have to comply with them. And third, it is very even. In addition, it has a lot of complexities regarding distances and climate, "said the Rosario.
In Miami, a revolution is expected and the key date may be July 16, the day on which Messi's official presentation would take place in the same place where Martino sat down to speak today. And, logically, many more journalists are expected at the clubhouse.
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