Inter Miami appoint 'Kily' Gonzalez as new manager

Inter Miami have appointed Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez as their new head coach, with interim boss Guillermo Hoyos remaining in charge until the Argentine secures the necessary work permits to take over in the United States, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Gonzalez shares more than just a homeland with Inter Miami's star forward Lionel Messi, hailing from the same city of Rosario in Argentina, a detail that has added extra intrigue to his arrival at the reigning MLS Cup champions.

The appointment comes amid a troubling run of form for Miami, who have lost four of their last five matches and now sit second in the Eastern Conference, 10 points adrift of leaders Nashville, despite bolstering their squad last month with the signing of Brazil midfielder Casemiro.

Hoyos stepped into the role on a temporary basis in April after Javier Mascherano departed the club for personal reasons, having previously overseen Miami's professional development structure. The club acknowledged his contribution in a statement.

"Inter Miami would like to especially highlight and thank Hoyos for his commitment and full dedication to the club, demonstrated by his willingness to assume the role during this period, which began last April," the statement read.

Hoyos will not be permitted to take charge from the touchline this weekend regardless, after Major League Soccer handed him a one match suspension and financial penalty for repeated breaches of the league's rules on delayed kick offs, following the team's slow return to the field after a break.

Under league regulations, teams that fail to resume play on time face escalating fines, with coaches also liable to be suspended for repeat offences. As a result, Hoyos will be absent from the dugout for Saturday's home fixture against CF Montreal.

Gonzalez, 52, earned 56 caps for Argentina between 1995 and 2005, with a playing career that included spells at European clubs Inter Milan, Valencia and Zaragoza, alongside a stint at Rosario Central back in Argentina. He moved into coaching in 2020 and has since managed three clubs domestically.