Miguel Herrera was named the new head of Mexico on October 18, 2013. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced Friday the appointment of Miguel Herrera as the new men’s national team head coach. The current Club America manager replaces Victor Manuel Vucetich, who was in charge for only two games.
“Sunday at 11 in the morning in the Center of High Performance you are invited to a press conference with Mr. Miguel Herrera, who beginning with that day will be in charge with his entire staff of the National Team,” said FMF President Justino Compean.
The 45-year-old will be tasked with seeing Mexico through the two-legged playoff against New Zealand for a place in next year’s World Cup finals. His future with El Tri will be determined after the completion of that series.
“I have received the unconditional, absolute and unanimous support from the teams so that Mr. Herrera can qualify us, that is the goal, the qualification for the World Cup and upon finishing his responsibility of qualifying us, afterward an analysis will be made to know if he or another head coach will lead us to Brazil 2014,” Compean added.
Mexico was forced into the last-chance opportunity after finishing fourth in the recently completed CONCACAF Hexagonal, which saw the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras claim the confederation’s three direct qualifying berths.
In a show of unity, Jorge Vergara, President of Liga MX side Guadalajara, praised the commitment demonstrated by the 2013 Clausura champion’s leadership for its willingness in loaning Herrera to the National Team.
“I want to publically thank Club America on behalf of the entire league because it is not easy to make the decision they made,” said Vergara. “They are loaning us their people to reach out to the National Team and Herrera was chosen for his character.
“We are all convinced that it is the solution to qualify us.”
Club America currently tops the table in the 2013 Apertura with 31 points, five ahead of second-place Santos. The Eagles are also looking to advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League and need a win over visiting Alajuelense on Tuesday at the Estadio Azteca to ensure progression.
Herrera enjoyed a long career as a tenacious defender in the Mexican league, mostly with Atlante. He earned 14 caps with Mexico and was member of the squad that reached the 1993 Copa America final, where it fell to Argentina, 2-1.
Vucetich, a three-time Champions League winner with Monterrey, split a pair World Cup qualifiers during his brief two-game tenure. A 2-1 win over Panama on October 11 was followed by a 2-1 loss at Costa Rica on Tuesday.
