Lionel Messi and Tata Martino - FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-GETAFE
Barcelona's Argentinian coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino talks with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) football match Barcelona vs Getafe at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 8, 2014. LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images

Inter Miami CF has announced the appointment of Argentine manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino as their next head coach.

The 60-year-old's title is officially the team's technical director, and he is tasked to help the squad rise from its bottom ranking in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

The Florida-based club recently fired Phil Neville after their dismal start to the season. The former Manchester United player has been at the helm since January 2021.

Inter Miami academy coach Javier Morales was named interim coach as they searched for a replacement for club co-owner David Beckham's former teammate in Manchester.

Tata Martino Has Managed Lionel Messi Before

Martino has managed new Inter Miami acquisitions Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets before.

The Argentine coach managed FC Barcelona during the 2013-14 season. Unfortunately, he was not able to lead the Spanish giants to any major honors, and he was sacked after one year.

The Blaugrana club finished second in La Liga, lost to rivals Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey final, and was eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League during Martino's tenure.

Martino was then appointed as the manager of the Argentina national football team after their heartbreaking loss at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, having Messi as one of his players again.

The team finished as runners-up twice to Chile in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments, losing both finals via penalty shoot-outs. He resigned as Argentina manager in July 2016.