Landon Donovan and Tim Howard cast doubt over Javier Mascherano's abrupt Inter Miami exit
Javier Mascherano announced his departure from Inter Miami last Tuesday, with the club claiming his decision to leave was down to 'personal reasons.' However, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard have questioned the official version of events surrounding the coach's exit
Javier Mascherano recently left Inter Miami just seven games into the 2026 MLS season -Credit:Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images U. S. Men's National Team legend Landon Donovan believes there is a conspiracy theory behind Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano's sudden departure from the club.
Mascherano, who was reportedly handpicked by Lionel Messi, announced his decision to leave the Herons last Tuesday. The club released a lengthy statement attributed to the 41-year-old Argentine manager, in which he maintained that the decision to leave was entirely his own, despite suggestions there had been tensions behind the scenes . "I want to let everyone know that, for personal reasons, I have decided to end my tenure as head coach of Inter Miami CF," his statement began.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank the Club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments. " 2026 FIFA World Cup projected to provide $850 million in US advertising revenue World Cup host city planning complementary transport amidst rocketing prices around the country Landon Donovan believes there is more behind Mascherano's abrupt exit than meets the eye -Credit:Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Panini America Donovan, alongside former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, discussed Mascherano's departure on the latest instalment of AMP Sports Original Series, ' Unfiltered Soccer . ' The former teammates suggested that they believe "something happened" behind the scenes, stoking speculation over the circumstances surrounding Mascherano's departure from the club.
Donovan said, via The Mirror US : "Dax McCarty says: 'If you believe Tata Martino, fresh off the best regular season in MLS history, and Javier Mascherano, fresh off winning MLS Cup four months ago, decided to just up and leave due to personal reasons only - I've got some ocean front property to sell you in Nebraska. ' So what's going on here? " Howard replied saying: "I personally - if there's language from a club about a manager leaving, to me, he just got sacked.