Inter Miami CF coach Gerardo Tata Martino has decided to resign despite having one year left on his contract, according to ESPN. The decision was made for personal reasons.

Martino’s departure comes just weeks after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the first round of the MLS playoffs.

The former captain of Barcelona and the Mexican national team will hold a farewell press conference on November 22, alongside the team’s co-owner, Jorge Mas, and the president of Football Operations, Raúl Sanllehi.

Martino’s departure comes just weeks after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the first round of the MLS playoffs. The team lost to ninth-seeded Atlanta United FC in a three-game series.

Martino was appointed in June 2023, replacing Phil Neville. During over a year and a half at the helm of the team, he took home many notable trophies, including the 2023 Leagues Cup championship, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield title and set a record for highest score in an MLS tournament.

Despite success in the domestic tournament, Inter Miami encountered difficulties in regional tournaments, such as being eliminated by Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup and stopping in the round of 16 of the 2024 Leagues Cup.

Martino’s signing is part of the strategy to elevate the club, along with famous signings such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez.

Martino was appointed in June 2023, replacing Phil Neville.

Martino led Atlanta United to win the MLS championship in 2018 and was named Outstanding Coach of the Year. At Inter Miami, despite Messi missing nearly half of the MLS season due to injury and national commitment, Martino helped the team achieve unprecedented results in the history of the tournament.

Inter Miami finished the season with 74 points, breaking New England’s record of 73 points set in 2021. With a record of 22 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses, the team achieved a win rate of 76.5%, another MLS record. The team also became one of eight teams in league history to lose only four games in a season.

Martino’s successor at Inter Miami will face a challenging 2025 season. The packed schedule includes an international preseason tour, 34 MLS matches and the Club World Cup, which begins in June.