Wikipedia

Gerardo Martino

Gerardo Daniel "Tata" Martino (born 20 November 1962) is an Argentine professional football coach and former player who last coached Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.

Gerardo Martino
Martino with Inter Miami in 2024
Personal information
Full name Gerardo Daniel Martino
Date of birth (1962-11-20) 20 November 1962 (age 62)[1]
Place of birth Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1972–1980 Newell's Old Boys
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1990 Newell's Old Boys 392 (35)
1991 Tenerife 15 (1)
1991–1994 Newell's Old Boys 81 (2)
1994–1995 Lanús 30 (3)
1995 Newell's Old Boys 15 (0)
1996 O'Higgins 11 (1)
1996 Barcelona SC 5 (0)
Total 551 (42)
International career
1981 Argentina U20 2 (0)
1991 Argentina 1 (0)
Managerial career
1998 Brown de Arrecifes
1999 Platense
2000 Instituto
2002–2003 Libertad
2003–2004 Cerro Porteño
2005 Colón
2005–2006 Libertad
2007–2011 Paraguay
2012–2013 Newell's Old Boys
2013–2014 Barcelona
2014–2016 Argentina
2016–2018 Atlanta United
2019–2022 Mexico
2023–2024 Inter Miami
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Mexico (as manager)
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner 2019 United States Team
Runner-up 2021 United States Team
CONCACAF Nations League
Runner-up 2021 United States Team
Representing  Argentina (as manager)
Copa América
Runner-up 2015 Chile Team
Runner-up 2016 United States Team
Representing  Paraguay (as manager)
Copa América
Runner-up 2011 Argentina Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Martino played mostly for Newell's Old Boys in his native Rosario. He holds the record of appearances with the team playing a total of 505 matches in all official competitions. He was also selected in a fan's poll as Newell's best player throughout the club's history.[2]

Martino was chosen to replace Tito Vilanova as head coach of Barcelona at the start of the 2013–14 season, but announced his resignation on 17 May 2014, though his side finished runner-up in both the Copa del Rey and La Liga that season. In 2015, he led Argentina to the Copa América Final, only to be defeated by hosts Chile on penalties. His team also finished as runners-up in the Copa América Centenario, again losing to the defending champion Chile on penalties.[3] On 5 July 2016, Martino resigned from the Argentina national team.[4]

He was named the head coach of Atlanta United, a MLS expansion team that began play in 2017. Martino led the team to an MLS Cup victory in their second season and was named the MLS Coach of the Year before departing for the Mexico national team. He spent three years leading the side and left Mexico after being knocked out in the group stage in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In 2023, Martino returned to MLS, being appointed as head coach of Inter Miami, where he joined former Barcelona players Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, as well as former Atlanta United player Josef Martínez.

Coaching career

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Paraguay national team

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Martino was assigned as head coach of the Paraguay national football team in February 2007, replacing Uruguayan Anibal "Maño" Ruiz. His knowledge and success while coaching Paraguayan clubs were the parameters that positioned him as the best option for the job (other candidates were Nery Pumpido and Miguel Ángel Russo). Previously, Martino had won the Paraguayan league four times from 2002 till 2006.

In 2008, Martino was linked for vacant managerial position of Iran Pro League side Steel Azin, but the deal was cancelled for personal reasons.[5] On 5 July 2010, Martino announced that he would be stepping down as Paraguay coach on their return from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which he led Paraguay to quarter-finals. Martino confirmed that with his four-year contract expiring, he would not be extending his spell in charge of the national side.[6] However, on 10 July 2010, Martino agreed to stay on as Paraguay coach until after the 2011 Copa America, in which Paraguay were runners-up after losing to Uruguay in the final.[7]

Newell's Old Boys

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After Hernán Darío Gómez's departure from the Colombia national team, Martino received a proposition to coach the team but turned it down, opting instead to coach Newell's Old Boys, one of his former clubs as a player,[8][9] and a club which at the time was dangerously close to relegation to the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of Argentine football. However, a series of impressive results under Martino secured top-flight status for Newell's, and Martino's reputation as a coach increased quite significantly.

Following his excellent first season at Newell's, Martino won the 2013 Torneo Final, the second and final stage of the Argentine Primera División season and reached the semi-finals of the 2013 Copa Libertadores. As a result, Martino won further plaudits as a coach, having transformed Newell's from a team facing relegation on his arrival to a title-winning side, in addition to the arguably more impressive feat of reaching the 2013 Copa Libertadores semi-final, the pinnacle club competition organized by CONMEBOL. It was this startling turnaround that further increased Martino's stock as a coach, and his achievements at Newell's soon caught the attention of various clubs in Europe, including Barcelona.

Barcelona

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Martino with Barcelona in 2014

On 7 July 2013, Martino was confirmed as head coach of Spanish club Barcelona to replace Tito Vilanova, who resigned three days earlier due to health issues.[10] He signed a two-year deal at Barcelona.[11][12] His first competitive game in charge of Barça was on 18 August 2013 against Levante, a game which Barcelona won 7–0 on the opening weekend of the 2013–14 La Liga season.[13] On 26 October 2013, Martino won 2–1 against rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, winning his first Clásico as a Barcelona coach. Three days later, Barcelona went on to win 0–3 at Celta Vigo, and Martino became the first coach in Barcelona history to not lose a game in his first 16 matches. On 20 November, Martino's unbeaten start as Barcelona coach came to an end after his 21st game in charge, as Barcelona lost 2–1 away at Ajax in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League. After conceding the 2013–14 La Liga title on the last day of the season to Atlético Madrid, Martino announced he was to leave his role after just one year in charge, during which he did not manage to win any major trophy except the Spanish Super Cup.[14]

Argentina national team

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On 12 August 2014, Martino was introduced as the new head coach for the Argentina national team, succeeding Alejandro Sabella who took the side into the final against Germany at the World Cup in Brazil.[15][16] In the 2015 Copa América, he reached the final, in which Argentina were runners-up after losing to hosts Chile on penalties. They also finished as runners-up in the Copa América Centenario Final on 26 June 2016 against Chile, again losing on penalties.[3] On 5 July 2016, Martino resigned.[3]

Atlanta United

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Martino with Atlanta United in 2017

After departing from Argentina, Martino was announced as Major League Soccer expansion team Atlanta United's inaugural season head coach on 27 September 2016.[17] On 23 October 2018, Martino announced that he would not renew his contract with Atlanta United following the conclusion of the 2018 MLS season, citing personal reasons.[18] He was expected to sign with the Mexico national team.[19] Atlanta defeated the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup, winning their first league title in Martino's last match with the club.[20]

Mexico national team

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On 7 January 2019, Martino was announced as head coach of the Mexico national team in his return to international management since leaving Argentina in May 2016.[21][22] On 22 March, Martino won his first match with Mexico with a 3–1 win over Chile in a friendly.[23] Later in the same year, Martino and Mexico won the CONCACAF Gold Cup over rivals the United States in a 1–0 victory, his first national title.[24]

But in 2021, Martino saw a steep drop in form, losing both the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League final and CONCACAF Gold Cup to the United States. This was further compounded with a 2–0 loss to the United States in World Cup qualifying in November, marking the first time in the rivalry since 1934 that one side had swept three matches against the other in a calendar year.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Martino led Mexico to their biggest failure in 44 years, since Mexico finished third in their group behind Poland on goal difference, resulting in their first exit from the group stage since 1978.[25] Following their last group match against Saudi Arabia, Martino fulfilled his contract as head coach of Mexico, as reports were coming out that he would be let go even if Mexico made a deep run in the World Cup, due to his unpopularity and combative persona.[26]

Inter Miami

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On 28 June 2023, Martino was announced as head coach of Inter Miami, marking his return to the MLS after leaving Atlanta United in 2018.[27] Right away, Martino's team won the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami's first trophy, behind the heroics of summer signing Lionel Messi.

Managerial style

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Gerardo Martino prefers to play a very high pressing and an attacking style of football. At Barcelona, Martino continued the club's preferred style of play tiki-taka along with his own tactics. All of Martino's teams have the same distinguishable traits: they play attack-minded football, they are creative and the style is based on quick passing. In addition, Martino's teams also pressure high up the pitch, play out from the back and depend on their youth systems.[28]

Managerial statistics

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As of 9 November 2024[29][30][31][32][citation needed]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Brown de Arrecifes   1 January 1998 31 December 1998 32 13 6 13 040.63
Platense 1 January 1999 31 December 1999 19 4 5 10 021.05
Instituto 1 January 2000 31 December 2000 42 24 11 7 057.14
Libertad   1 January 2002 30 June 2003 81 42 20 19 051.85
Cerro Porteño 1 July 2003 31 December 2004 46 29 10 7 063.04
Colón   1 January 2005 30 June 2005 21 7 8 6 033.33
Libertad   1 July 2005 30 June 2006 75 39 19 17 052.00
Paraguay 1 July 2007 29 July 2011 71 24 24 23 033.80
Newell's Old Boys   1 January 2012 22 July 2013 71 36 18 17 050.70
Barcelona   23 July 2013 17 May 2014 59 40 11 8 067.80
Argentina   13 August 2014 5 July 2016 29 19 7 3 065.52
Atlanta United   27 September 2016 18 December 2018 74 40 17 17 054.05
Mexico   7 January 2019 30 November 2022 66 40 14 12 060.61
Inter Miami   10 July 2023 19 November 2024 67 35 16 16 052.24
Total 753 392 186 175 052.06

Personal life

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Gerardo Martino is of Italian descent. His grandparents are from Ripacandida, Basilicata.[33] Martino is married to fellow Argentine María Angélica.

Honours

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Player

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Newell's Old Boys

Manager

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Libertad

Cerro Porteño

  • Paraguayan Primera División: 2004

Newell's Old Boys

Barcelona

Atlanta United

Inter Miami

Paraguay

Argentina

Mexico

Individual

References

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  1. ^ FIFA.com
  2. ^ "Gerardo Martino, el más paraguayo de los argentinos comandará al equipo 'guaraní'" (in Spanish). UnivisiónFútbol.com. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Gerardo Martino quits Argentina and blames 'serious problems' at AFA". The Guardian. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Gerardo Martino resigns as Argentina manager as team's chaos continues - FOX Sports". 5 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & More". Goal.com.
  6. ^ "Gerardo Martino quits Paraguay post". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. 4 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  7. ^ "Martino to stay as Paraguay coach". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Newell's Old Boys". FIFA. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Esquadrão Imortal – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992" [Immortal Squad – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992] (in Portuguese). Imortais do Futebol. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Tata Martino ya es entrenador del FC Barcelona". Marca. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Barcelona appoint Gerardo Martino as successor to Tito Vilanova". The Guardian. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Gerardo Martino, new coach of FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona official website. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino says there is plenty to come from his new side after 7-0 win". The Daily Telegraph. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino leaves in wake of Atlético title triumph". The Guardian. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  15. ^ "La Era Martino". Olé. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  16. ^ "Martino to lead Argentina into the unknown". ESPN. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  17. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia. "Gerardo 'Tata' Martino named first-ever head coach of Atlanta United FC". MLSSoccer. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  18. ^ Roberson, Doug (23 October 2018). "Manager Gerardo Martino leaving Atlanta United". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Martino returning to Atlanta with Mexico - sources". ESPN.com. 18 December 2018.
  20. ^ "MLS Cup: Atlanta United beat Portland Timbers to win title". BBC Sport. 9 December 2018.
  21. ^ "Tata Martino named Mexico national team manager". 7 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Former Barcelona boss becomes Mexico coach". The 42. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  23. ^ "Mexico triumph over Chile in Gerardo "Tata" Martino's debut". 22 March 2019.
  24. ^ Ricardo Otero (7 July 2019). "Gerardo Martino gana su primer título de selecciones". tudn.com (in Spanish).
  25. ^ "Mexico coach Martino rues 'huge failure' at World Cup". Radio France Internationale. 30 November 2022.
  26. ^ "Explained: Why Mexico got rid of Gerardo 'Tata' Martino immediately after World Cup elimination". Goal.com. 1 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Inter Miami hire ex-Barca coach 'Tata' Martino". ESPN.com. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Gerardo 'Tata' Martino (2013-14)". FC Barcelona.
  29. ^ "Argentina (2014)". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Argentina (2015)". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  31. ^ "Argentina (2016)". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  32. ^ "Gerardo 'Tata' Martino (2013–14)". FC Barcelona official website. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  33. ^ "Un lucano sulla panchina del Barça - Sport Basilicata".
  34. ^ a b "La AFA > Campeones de Primera División". Argentine Football Association (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  35. ^ Farley, Richard (28 August 2013). "Stalemate at Nou Camp gives Barcelona Spanish Super Cup over Atlético Madrid". NBC Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2018. After four games, it's unclear Gerardo Martino's team won't be susceptible to the same failings that undid Tito Vilanova's.
  36. ^ Pierrend, José Luis (10 January 2018). "South American Coach and Player of the Year". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  37. ^ "Tata Martino announces full 2018 MLS All-Star Game roster". 29 June 2018.
  38. ^ "Atlanta United's Gerardo "Tata" Martino named 2018 MLS Coach of the Year". Major League Soccer. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
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