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SportsInter Miami appoint Kily González, former Argentina teammate of Messi, as new head coach
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Inter Miami have appointed Cristian 'Kily' González as their new first-team head coach, replacing Guillermo Hoyos who had been in caretaker charge since April 2026. González, 52, played alongside Lionel Messi in two World Cup qualifying matches for Argentina in October 2005. The appointment was announced on August 28, 2026, following Hoyos' one-game suspension by MLS for repeatedly violating the league's late kickoff policy. Hoyos will remain in charge temporarily until González receives a work permit. González becomes the latest Inter Miami head coach with prior connections to Messi, joining Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and Javier Mascherano. During his 18-year playing career, González represented Rosario Central, Boca Juniors, Valencia, and Inter Milan. His coaching career includes managing three Argentine clubs: Rosario Central, Club Atletico Union, and Club Atletico Platense. Inter Miami currently sits second in MLS's Eastern Conference, ten points behind Nashville SC.
Source report
Inter Miami have appointed Cristian “Kily” González as their new first-team head coach.
González, 52, will replace Guillermo Hoyos, a decades-long ally and close family friend of club captain Lionel Messi. A statement from Inter Miami issued on Thursday confirmed that Hoyos will “provisionally continue in charge of the team until the arrival of the new head coach and his coaching staff,” once González receives a work permit.
Hoyos, 63, has been in caretaker charge of Miami since April, when he replaced Javier Mascherano.
González becomes the latest Inter Miami head coach to have previously worked with or played alongside Messi, joining the likes of Gerardo “Tata” Martino and Mascherano. Messi and González played two World Cup qualifying matches together for Argentina in October 2005 — the year Messi made his senior Argentina debut and González played his final game for the national team.
Background on Hoyos
Earlier on Thursday, before Miami confirmed the appointment of González, Major League Soccer suspended Hoyos for one game and fined him an undisclosed amount for repeatedly violating the league’s late kickoff policy. Hoyos will serve that ban during Miami’s home game against CF Montréal on Saturday, August 29.
Hoyos became Inter Miami’s Director of Development in August 2023 before becoming sporting director in January 2025. The Argentine then replaced Javier Mascherano as head coach in April 2026, going on to take charge of 17 games.
González’s Career
During his 18-year playing career, González represented the likes of Rosario Central, Boca Juniors, Valencia and Inter Milan. The former left midfielder was an Argentina international who scored ten goals in 56 appearances for the national team, where he played with Messi.
His coaching career has seen him take charge of three sides in his native Argentina:
- Rosario Central
- Club Atletico Union
- Club Atletico Platense
Current Standings
Inter Miami are second in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference and ten points behind first-place Nashville SC, a team they were beaten by 4-1 on Aug. 15.
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
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Inter Miami Appoints Argentine Kily González as New Head Coach