Ex-Real Madrid boss emerges as shock favourite for Inter Miami job

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s surprise departure from Inter Miami following their MLS playoff failure came as a huge surprise to fans, MLS, and the football world.

The Argentine coach was the cornerstone around which the ambitious MLS executives decided to go for Lionel Messi and bring him stateside: it worked, and the Leo-Tata axis led The Herons to unimaginable success on and off the pitch.

But now, he’s gone. In a flash, Inter Miami fans see what normal football fans supporting normal football clubs feel most of the time, or at least some of it: that feeling of ‘what now?’.

Who will be the next Inter Miami manager?

Tata’s out and football, as you’ll see, moves on quickly. The bookies have already complied a list of favourites, and one name in particular stands out.

Ex-Real Madrid manager Rafa Benítez is, at the time of writing, the favourite for the job, according to UK bookmakers BetFair. Behind him, is Brendan Rodgers, currently of Celtic, and Steve Cherundolo, of LAFC.

However, other links being sounded out that are not included on the betting odds are ex-Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández, who left the LaLiga side over the summer and was replaced by Hansi Flick. This link, however, unlikely, makes logical sense for those in-the-dark fans trying to put 2 plus 2 together, as Xavi played alongside Messi, Suárez, Busquets and Alba.

Other names being mentioned are Philadelphia Union‘s head coach Jim Curtin and Inter Miami II manager Gonzalo Higuaín. Pep Guardiola, however, is not on the cards, as the Catalan signed a one-year extension to his Manchester City deal.

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