How should Inter Miami supporters receive latest Messi-connected coach?

Do the Herons give their superstar captain too much power?

On Thursday, Inter Miami announced it had signed Cristian "Kily" González, 52, to take over Las Garzas from interim coach Guillermo Hoyos as soon as he obtains the necessary work permits.

González has coached 160 professional matches for three squads, all in Argentina, and has a career record of 52 wins, 46 draws, and 62 losses — a winning percentage of just 32.5.

"Cristian 'Kily' Gonzalez agrees to become future ex-Inter Miami head coach

"
vgtblfwd on Reddit

More importantly, for this conversation, González, 52, and Lionel Messi, 39, played together for the Argentine national team in 2005. González consoled Messi in the locker room after the young star was sent off with a red card less than a minute into his international debut against Hungary.

According to The Sun, a London-based publication featuring "News, sports, celebrities and gossip," Messi remembered González' kindness in a later interview:

“I remember touching the ball two or three times at most, I didn’t understand anything when I was sent off. It was a really tough moment for me because of everything my debut, my first match (for Argentina), meant," The Sun quoted Messi as saying. “I went into the locker room crying, they couldn’t stop me. I remember Kily telling me, ‘Don’t worry, the same thing happened to me, and I kept playing for the national team’.

“And that’s exactly what happened, I’m still playing a million matches for the national team."

"'Interchangeable Messi friend agrees to become new Inter Miami head coach'

"
TimeAndSpaceAndMe on Reddit

Did Inter Miami hire González because of his relationship with Messi? Hoyos rejected the idea Friday, but the circumstantial evidence is strong. Every coach of the Messi era -- Tata Martino, Javier Mascherano, Hoyos and now González -- has two things in common: they are from Argentina and they have coached or played beside Messi at some point in his career.

"As long as Messi is there, they're probably going to have an Argentine coaching"
mrwhitaker3 on Reddit

So, yeah, I believe this is a Messi or Messi-blessed decision. As much as I love Messi playing for Inter Miami, as much as I admire and respect the player and the man, I don't think any player should be greater than the organization. Publications like Sports Illustrated and Howler seem to agree.

On the other hand, Mascherano had NO club coaching record when he was signed to coach Messi & Friends, and he led the team to the MLS Cup championship in his only full season. I'm willing to keep an open mind on González. But I hope to see that he has a vision beyond the captain's tenure. If Inter Miami intends to become the continent's best club, they cannot invest everything into the Messi Project.

Best wishes, Mr. González.

Add us as a preferred source on Google