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Inter Miami hire ex-Argentina international Cristian ‘Kily’ Gonzalez as new full-time manager Inter Miami have found their new man. And, it’s not someone you were probably expecting. Inter Miami have decided to hand the reins to Cristian “Kily” González. It is a gamble for the reigning MLS Cup champions, and potentially a major shakeup in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The 52-year-old Argentine takes over a star-studded Miami side that has stumbled badly in recent weeks. Inter Miami have gone five matches without a win and sit second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points from 21 games, 10 behind Nashville SC. Guillermo Hoyos will remain in charge temporarily while González awaits his U.S. work permit. So, who is Kily González? A former winger, González built an impressive playing career in Argentina and Europe, playing for Rosario Central, Boca Juniors, Real Zaragoza, Valencia and Inter Milan. He earned 56 caps for Argentina, played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and won Olympic gold at Athens 2004. His connection with Lionel Messi is another obvious attraction. The pair were Argentina teammates during the 2005 World Cup qualifying campaign, giving González an existing relationship with Miami’s biggest star, albeit at a very different time in his career. González moved into management in 2020 with Rosario Central, later coaching Unión Santa Fe and Platense. At Rosario Central, he also placed an emphasis on developing young players, with the club crediting him for helping several academy prospects take their first steps into the professional team. He now inherits a Miami team that won its first MLS Cup last season under Javier Mascherano. Mascherano’s departure in April was a major shock. The former Argentina international had guided Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup before resigning after a difficult start to the new campaign. Hoyos, who previously worked within Miami’s professional development structure, stepped in as interim boss Toronto FC stunned Miami 2-1 on Aug. 23, handing the Herons their fourth defeat in five matches. That result showed Miami can be vulnerable but a new coach with a strong Argentine pedigree could quickly change that. For TFC, which is fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, a revitalized Miami side represents one more formidable obstacle in an already crowded race. Can González turn Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Casemiro’s star power back into consistent results before the playoffs? Only time will tell.