Miguel Herrera

Miguel Ernesto Herrera Aguirre (born 18 March 1968), popularly referred to by his nickname "Piojo" (Spanish for "louse"), is a Mexican professional football manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Costa Rica national team.

A former defender, Herrera began his career playing with second division side Deportivo Neza in 1985, then transferring to Tecos UAG in 1987, and making his debut in the Primera División in 1988. After a brief period with Santos Laguna, in 1989 Herrera transferred to Atlante and went on to play for the club on three occasions, winning his only league championship as a player during the 1992–93 season. He also had a notable spell with Toros Neza, making over 100 appearances for the club from 1995 till 1999. He retired with Atlante in 2000. Herrera was also a Mexican international, earning 14 caps and participated in the 1993 Copa América tournament in which Mexico finished runner-up.

As a manager, Herrera was in charge of Atlante in 2002, and again in 2010. He also coached Monterrey, managing them to two finals in 2004 and 2005, losing to UNAM and Toluca. He went on to coach Veracruz in 2008, and Estudiantes Tecos from 2008 until 2010. In November 2011, Herrera was announced as manager of Club América, with which he won his first league championship in 2013. In 2018, he won a second Liga MX title in his second spell with the club.

In October 2013, Herrera was named interim coach of the Mexico national team to guide them through the intercontinental playoff matches against New Zealand to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. After Mexico won the playoff and gained qualification, Herrera's job was extended to coaching the team during the World Cup. He ultimately extended his contract until 2018. Despite leading Mexico to the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he was sacked as coach of the national team after a physical altercation with a journalist.

Herrera made his debut in 1985 with second division side Deportivo Neza. Originally a forward, he switched to playing as a defender after his move to Tecos UAG in 1987. Herrera made his debut in the Primera División on 22 May 1988, in a 2–0 victory over Atlas. He transferred to Santos Laguna in 1988, making 30 appearances and scoring four goals. He had his first stint with Atlante in 1989, making 36 appearances and scoring four goals before moving to Querétaro in 1990. He again transferred to Atlante in 1991, and won his first league title during the 1992–93 season after defeating Monterrey in the finals by a 4–0 aggregate score after winning the first-leg 1–0 and the second 4–0. He would remain at the club until 1995, making 125 appearances and scoring nine goals. Herrera was then sold to Toros Neza, with whom he would play in his second league final during the "Verano '97" season, ultimately losing to Guadalajara by an aggregate score of 7–2. In 1999, Herrera returned to Atlante for a third time before officially retiring in 2000.

Herrera participated with the senior national team in the 1993 Copa América tournament held in Ecuador. Mexico went on to reach the final against Argentina, losing 1–2.

Herrera played in all of Mexico's matches during the qualifying stages for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, though he was omitted from the final squad list by coach Miguel Mejía Barón.

In 2002, two years after retiring, Herrera came back to coach his former club Atlante. He would remain manager for two years, but resigned in 2004 after failing to take Atlante to a final.