In a remarkable season that has seen the league’s top teams competing for the top spot, Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has led his team to the greatest regular season in Major League Soccer history, earning him the 2024 MLS Manager of the Year award. With 74 points from 34 matches, the team has surpassed the New England Revolution’s 73 points in 2021, making it the best regular season in MLS history.
Martino’s accomplishments are all the more impressive considering the challenges he faced. He had to manage the minutes of a talented and deep squad, as well as work with several long-term injuries to key players. This is no easy feat, especially when considering the high-quality talent at his disposal, including Superstar players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez.
But Martino’s experience and tactical acumen allowed him to make crucial decisions that paid off. He knew when to rest his star players to get the best out of them, and when to make changes to inject fresh energy into the team. This is evident in the way he has managed Messi’s minutes, allowing him to save the Argentine superstar from wearing himself out and missing crucial matches due to fatigue.
Martino’s ability to keep his squad happy and included is also a key factor in the team’s success. He has given opportunities to players like Leo Campana, Noah Allen, David Ruiz, Franco Negri, and Robert Taylor, who have all contributed significantly to the team’s success. This level of squad management is not easy, and it’s a testament to Martino’s leadership and ability to build a cohesive and motivated team.
The season has not been without its challenges, however. The long-term injuries to Nicolás Freire and Facundo Farías presented problems, but Martino found ways to adapt and overcome them. In one such instance, he played Busquets in the backline, which proved to be a successful experiment due to the midfielder’s exceptional passing range.
Martino’s tactical flexibility is also worthy of note. He has shown a willingness to adapt his formation to suit the opponent and the venue, often using a 4-3-3 setup at home and a 3-4-3 formation on the road to provide more security in defense.
With the 2024 Supporters’ Shield already won, Martino’s Inter Miami is now focused on the MLS Cup later this year. With the team performing at an elite level, it’s no surprise that Martino has been recognized as the 2024 MLS Manager of the Year. His dedication, tactical acumen, and ability to get the best out of his players have all been crucial factors in the team’s success, and he is well-deserving of this prestigious award.
