Tata Martino conducts first training session as manager of Inter Miami six days before Messi arrives

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino officially began his first training session as the head coach of Inter Miami on Monday.

Images show Martino smiling while watching the players at work as he returns to his first job since being fired from the Mexican national team after a poor 2022 World Cup.

He was seen speaking to his assistant coaches and the training staff, as well as a few of the players at the session.

It’s the start of what is sure to be a whirlwind few days for the club as it gets set to welcome Lionel Messi to South Beach.

Messi is set to be officially revealed to the public as a member of the team on Sunday, with his debut to take place on July 21.

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino conducted his first training session as manager of Inter Miami

Martino was seen speaking to his coaches and handing down instructions to his players

All this comes just six days before Lionel Messi is to be unveiled as an Inter Miami player

Martino and his men will need to get back in the win column if they wish to make the playoffs

It’s part of one of the most anticipated arrivals in all of American sports – and surely the most prominent transfer in the history of Major League Soccer.

But right now, Inter are struggling. The club sits dead last in the Eastern Conference with only 18 points from 21 matches.

That’s the result of a 5-3-13 record – with all three draws coming in their last three matches.

‘I’ve seen it be a very competitive team and a team that tries on the field to resolve the problems that we’re having off the pitch,’ Martino said on Monday. 

The coach is not planning to make wholesale changes immediately. 

‘This week we’re going to work with the team that’s been playing regularly,’ he said.  ‘You don’t change a team in only 5 training sessions but we’re going to slowly start adding some things from our tactical approach.’

While Inter Miami has seen success in the US Open Cup – reaching the semifinals where they’ll play the MLS leading FC Cincinnati – they have not won in the league since May 13.

Since then, the team has lost seven matches and fired their former manager, Phil Neville after a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

But with Messi – and fellow to-be-announced arrivals Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – Inter Miami believes they may still have a chance to reach a playoff spot.

It is possible – as Inter sit only eight points back – but with a crowded field ahead of them, it will be a tough task ahead for Martino & Co.