Liga MX: Record-setting America coach gets no respect

Aguilas coach makes history while facing calls for dismissal

Miguel Herrera just became America’s winningest coach and he has the club in a tie for first place. You’d think the Aguilas faithful would be ready to carry their manager off the field on their shoulders. You’d be wrong.

Instead, there is a sizeable contingent of America fans promoting the #FueraPiojo (“FirePiojo”) hashtag on social media.

So what gives?

“Los AzulCremas” emerged from a modest two-game losing streak on Matchday 7, defeating Atlético de San Luis 2-1 to give “El Piojo” his 133rd win and followed that up with a 3-1 win over Mazatlán FC on Wednesday night.

Herrera’s 134 wins moved him past the legendary José Antonio Roca, and did so in considerably fewer games. It took him 261 matches to reach 134 while Roca was in charge for 283 games.

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In America’s storied history, no manager has won more league titles than “El Piojo” who has guided the Aguilas to two Liga MX titles (Clausura 2013, Apertura 2018). Jorge Vieira (1987-88 and 1988-89) and Carlos Reinoso (1983-84 and 1984-85) also hoisted two league trophies.

Herrera also ended a 45-year drought in the Copa MX when he won the Clausura 2019 Cup, its first such title since Roca guided America to the 1973-74 Copa MX. Last year also saw the Aguilas claim the Champions Cup for the first time in 14 years.

“El Piojo” also holds the distinction of Most Classics Won at America, surpassing the 21 won by Roca. America’s two wins against the Chivas last year gave him 22 victories in Clásicos, earning him the moniker “El Rey de los Clásicos” (“The King of the Classics”).

Results against Guadalajara (Super Clásico), the Pumas (Clásico Capitalino) and Cruz Azul (Clásico Joven) can make or break a coach at America, but Herrera has enjoyed great success in these all-important matches.

Despite all this hardware, there remains a vocal cluster of Aguilas fans who want Herrera gone.

So again, what gives?

There’s just no pleasing some America fans …

Herrera won’t ever be called a master tactician, but he is not afraid to make changes and he’ll adapt to circumstances. He won the Clausura 2013 title with a 5-3-2 line-up, then claimed the Apertura 2018 with a 4-2-3-1 alignment.

Unlike some coaches (I’m looking at you “Tuca”), “El Piojo” will make liberal in-game adjustments and rotate players. He’s also not afraid to let youngsters learn on the job, and the Aguilas academy has produced lots of talent of late. Diego Reyes, Raúl Jiménez, Diego Lainez and Edson Álvarez were all integral parts of Herrera squads (he coached America in 2012-2013 before leaving to take the El Tri job and returned to Coapa in 2017).

America fans – and pundits – frequently criticize Herrera’s protagonism, especially for his commercial over-exposure. The coach has gone through stretches where it seemed he was hawking wares on TV 24/7. And many resented his decision to promote the Green Party in violation of Election Laws during the run-up to the 2015 federal elections.

The volatile Herrera has also flirted with getting fired. His antics on the sideline saw him lead all Liga MX coaches in ejections last season and after one dismissal he hurled homophobic insults at the official who red-carded him. Sadly, league discipline amounted to little more than a slap on the wrist and a rather insincere videotaped apology.

And that brings us back to performance on the field since Herrera’s lack of restraint is occasionally reflected by his team.

The Aguilas like to push the envelope with their physical style of play, but outbursts are not uncommon (see the Richard Sánchez ejection vs Querétaro). It can sometimes seem that the team is playing on the edge. As evidence, no Liga MX team has more than the club’s three red cards through six games.

Another “sin” committed by “El Piojo” is his reluctance to take responsibility. Rarely does Herrera admit he made a mistake, regularly blaming refs, officials and even throwing an occasional player under the bus.

It’s always going to be difficult to get full credit when you have a deep and talented roster at your disposal, but avoiding accountability will not win you respect.

However, all this considered – record number of wins, four pieces of hardware and developing young stars – Herrera still hears calls for his dismissal.

Perhaps we can attribute his lack of appreciation to his “original sin.” “El Piojo” never played for America. As such, regardless of how many trophies he brings home, Herrera might never be as beloved as Carlos Reinoso who won titles as a player in the 1970s then coached the Aguilas to the 1983-84 championship.