Inter Miami clarify Lionel Messi’s role in Kily Gonzalez coaching appointment

Inter Miami interim manager Guillermo Hoyos has rejected claims that Lionel Messi personally selected Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez as the club’s new head coach, insisting the appointment was made through an official decision by the club’s hierarchy.

Inter Miami announced on Thursday that Gonzalez would take over the team once he has secured the necessary work permits. Hoyos will remain in charge on an interim basis during the current period.

Speaking to ESPN, Hoyos said: “No, it was not Messi’s idea to hire Gonzalez; it was an institutional decision. I believe Messi has the natural influence expected of players with this personality and greatness. I imagine it is similar elsewhere. When you are at Boca Juniors, for example, you might consult a player such as Leandro Paredes, because Paredes is a true symbol of the club and his words genuinely carry weight when it comes to a coach staying or another arriving.”

Gonzalez and Messi have previously shared the Argentina international dressing room. The pair played together in two 2005 World Cup qualifying matches, against Peru and Uruguay.

Gonzalez is arriving at Inter Miami while the club is enduring a difficult run of form. They have failed to win any of their past five matches in all competitions, recording four defeats and one draw across the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer.

Despite that sequence, Inter Miami are second in the Eastern Conference standings, with 39 points from 21 matches.

Hoyos also described the club’s communication throughout the coaching change as open and transparent, and said there had been no dispute over Gonzalez’s arrival.

“The lines of communication have been open from the first day, which is normal given the way we stepped in to deal with a particular situation,” he said. “Now they have found the person I see as the ideal choice. He has great ability and a genuine capacity to take the club to the position it deserves, and the big players will continue to excel.”

The interim manager added that he would remain available to Gonzalez during the transition, with the aim of helping him settle into the squad and adapt to Major League Soccer.

“We are open to all these situations, and when Kily arrives we will certainly meet to discuss and talk,” Hoyos said. “We are working to serve the club, and I would like to thank all the staff who gave us exceptional support. This is not something dramatic; it is an opportunity to improve, develop and grow, and we have to provide our full support in that direction.”

Hoyos will not be on the Inter Miami bench for Saturday’s match against CF Montreal at No Stadium. He is serving a one-match suspension imposed after repeatedly breaching the league’s policy on delaying kick-offs.

The appointment and Messi’s influence have also prompted wider discussion among supporters, who can debate the issue and other football news in the Kooora forums.