Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Appoints Cristian 'Kily' González as New Head Coach

Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer club featuring stars Lionel Messi and Fricio Caicedo, has appointed Cristian 'Kily' González as its new head coach. The Argentine strategist takes the helm following a disappointing run of results under his predecessor, Guillermo Hoyos.

González, a former player for clubs like Real Zaragoza, Valencia, and Inter Milan, was previously managing Platense in Argentina before his move to the MLS. His appointment aims to revitalize a team currently facing significant challenges in the season. However, González will not immediately lead the team from the sidelines, as he must first obtain the necessary work permits to officially assume his duties in the United States.

Until González can officially begin, Guillermo Hoyos will continue to manage the team on an interim basis. Hoyos took over as head coach in April 2026, succeeding Javier Mascherano, who resigned for personal reasons after leading the team to an MLS Cup title. Hoyos' tenure began with a promising streak but saw a considerable decline in performance over the past month.

The team's struggles include elimination from the Leagues Cup and a winless streak in MLS regular season matches. Hoyos will also miss the upcoming game against CF Montréal due to a suspension for repeatedly violating the league's punctuality policy. Despite these recent setbacks, Inter Miami remains in contention in the Eastern Conference, currently holding second place with 39 points, though trailing conference leaders Nashville by 10 points.