Mr. Raul Sanllehi used to be the CEO of Barcelona Club, while Messi and Mascherano were still playing here. In June 2024, he was appointed by David Beckham and Jorge Mas as President of Inter Miami’s Football Operations, a title that will include management of all club activities and sports.
Messi is behind many important decisions at Inter Miami
Therefore, Mr. Raul Sanllehi’s job in fact completely overlaps with Mr. Chris Henderson’s title of sports director. Although, at that time, both David Beckham and Jorge Mas said that Henderson would still stick to the sports side, while Sanllehi focused on the general management of the club.
But in recent months, Mr. Sanllehi has become more involved in sports. Among them, there was a decision to part ways with coach Tata Martino and choose a new coach, Javier Mascherano.
“Mr. Chris Henderson has lost control at Inter Miami for many months now. It was coach Tata Martino who arranged the available squad, limiting Henderson’s contribution to comply with salary cap rules in MLS ( American Professional Football League).
Mr. Raul Sanllehi is almost the main person in charge at Inter Miami on all operational issues and team forces. This is also the wish of Messi, Mascherano and Mr. Jorge Mas,” newspaper journalist Jose Armando Deporte Total USA said.
Immediately after leaving Inter Miami, Mr. Chris Henderson did not have to wait long for a new job, having reached an agreement to join Atlanta United Club in the same position. Atlanta United is also the team that eliminated Inter Miami in round 1 of the MLS 2024 play-offs, making Messi and his teammates disappointed by breaking their championship dream.
Billionaire Jorge Mas and Mr. Sanllehi attended the press conference on the launch of coach Mascherano, while Mr. Henderson was absent.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami, under the leadership of president David Beckham and billionaire Jorge Mas, co-owner of the team, began streamlining the apparatus at the top, concentrating power on two key figures, Mr. Raul. Sanllehi and Mr. Xavier Asensi, commercial director, to build a club of global stature.
Billionaire Jorge Mas also said: “Inter Miami will significantly strengthen its force for the 2025 season. We will use all the squad mechanisms that will be provided by the tournament to build a capable force.” The best competition for the new season will all start from January 1, 2025. Inter Miami will participate in major tournaments such as FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, MLS and even the goal of winning the MLS Cup. Therefore, We must have a strong and competitive squad. That is the goal.”
According to the latest news, Inter Miami is preparing to sign a contract with Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre, a player that Al Hilal Club is also competing to own when the winter transfer window opens in early 2025.
