Miguel Herrera fired as Mexico manager after alleged reporter attack

Mexico has fired manager Miguel Herrera after he allegedly attacked a reporter at the airport in Philadelphia following El Tri's Gold Cup triumph. Where does El Tri go from here and what does it mean for Mexico's Confederations Cup playoff against the USA?

Avi Creditor | Jul 28, 2015

Miguel Herrera fired as Mexico manager after alleged reporter attack /

Miguel Herrera is out as Mexico manager in a stunning development, just two days after guiding El Tri to its record seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup championship.

Herrera allegedly attacked TV Azteca reporter Christian Martinoli at the Philadelphia airport after the win, although scant video evidence has been produced to confirm it. Univision Deportes showed cell phone footage of the supposed encounter early Tuesday morning, but there was no smoking gun, no visible proof that Herrera indeed put his hands on Martinoli.

Nevertheless, the one-man GIF machine is out after reviving Mexico following a lackluster 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, managing El Tri to the World Cup round of 16 and another continental title. The record will show that the fiery, brazen and boisterous Herrera stepped in and stabilized Mexico, but the manner in which he leaves threatens to weaken the foundation with a crucial match against the USA just about 10 weeks away.

Here are three thoughts on Herrera's firing:

This seems like a convenient excuse

The writing had been on the wall for Herrera that a Gold Cup failure would've cost him his job. As is usually the case with Mexico, a failure to meet expectations means a new coach. Sometimes, a failure to win a single World Cup qualifier means a new coach (or three, as was the case in 2013). The fact that Mexico went winless at Copa America and then labored through the Gold Cup until the stellar showing in the final made it certainly seem that the FMF (Mexican federation) and the Liga MX owners who often wield the decisive influence, were mobilizing for another change.

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Mexico winning the Gold Cup made replacing Herrera awfully difficult to rationalize. There's no way anyone could have anticipated this incident–or near incident, as it were–happening so soon, but it certainly gives the powers that be the convenient excuse they needed to pull the trigger. Once the bloom falls off the rose during your tenure as Mexico manager, there's little that can be done to restore your place in everyone's good graces.

Not even a trophy fully restored Herrera–who, don't forget, came under fire for political comments made during the country's elections–into a more secure place.

Had Herrera failed to lead Mexico over the U.S. at the Rose Bowl in CONCACAF's playoff for the region's 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup on October 9, the ax likely would've dropped then instead. And if not then, then for something else. Such is life on the Mexico manager hot seat.

Its impact on the Confederations Cup playoff

The development couldn't have come at a worse time for Mexico. On the heels of the Gold Cup triumph–which was completed Sunday night without the likes of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Giovani Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Hector Moreno in the lineup–the nation has CONCACAF bragging rights entering the playoff against the U.S. But where does this leave Mexico, and what does it do for team morale?

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Dos Santos and his brother, Jonathan, both publicly tweeted support of Herrera, who, by all accounts, was popular among his players. Now they'll all have to quickly buy in under someone else's leadership and tactics with just two match dates remaining prior to the rumble at the Rose Bowl. September friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago (which has no fear of Mexico after their wild 4-4 Gold Cup group encounter) and Argentina don't exactly present opportunities to go through the motions and learn on the fly without any ramifications.

Was this a shortsighted decision, or not? That ultimately remains to be seen, but after finally appearing to have stability for the first time, Mexico is back on shaky ground.

WATCH: Guardado, Corona, Peralta score for Mexico in Gold Cup final

Herrera was what Mexico needed

Herrera was certainly the beneficiary of some good luck. What if CONCACAF was drawn against CONMEBOL in the playoff for the place in the 2014 World Cup like it was in 2010? A two-game playoff against New Zealand wasn't exactly the most difficult objective for the incoming manager. And at the Gold Cup, Herrera and Mexico could have easily fallen in the quarterfinals and semifinals, had it not been for some awfully mysterious referee decisions.

Viva El Piojo: How the fiery Herrera has revived once-rudderless Mexico

But at the same time, he pulled the right strings in the last 21 months. He restored Rafa Marquez in defense and as Mexico captain upon his arrival, and it worked (well, until the "no era penal" debacle in the World Cup round of 16). He turned to domestic players from Club America he knew he could manage and get the most out of, and they delivered, leading Mexico over New Zealand in that playoff and securing El Tri's place in Brazil.

He eventually found a way to smooth things over with Carlos Vela and bring him back in the fold, and while Vela struggled during the Gold Cup to match his top club form, he's another tool in the arsenal. He gave Jesus "Tecatito" Corona a place on the senior squad, and at times Corona looked like Mexico's most capable attacking talent in the Gold Cup.

MORE: Guardado, Corona take home individual Gold Cup hardware

It should be mentioned, too, that Herrera had no problem with his players joining MLS, stating publicly that it had no impact on his player selection. Will that be the case going forward under the new manager? Giovani Dos Santos just signed a lucrative deal with the LA Galaxy for, reportedly, the next four and a half years. Cubo Torres just kicked off his stint with the Houston Dynamo. MLS teams are in hot pursuit of Chicharito, and while he may ultimately stay abroad in Europe, it's never felt like a more realistic time for him to sign with the league. After a breakthrough among Mexican talent in its prime joining MLS, you wonder if that might be frowned upon under whoever gets tabbed as Herrera's replacement.

GALLERY: Cuauhtemoc Blanco through the years

Cuauhtemoc Blanco Through the Years

Cuauhtemoc Blanco received a farewell from Club America, playing against Morelia in a Liga MX match–and performing his trademark "Cuauhteminha"–on March 5, 2016.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco lifts the Copa MX trophy with Puebla in his final match as a professional.

Blanco is given a hero's farewell after the Copa MX final between Puebla and Chivas.

Blanco plays his final match for Mexico at Estadio Azteca in a friendly against Israel on May 28, 2014.

Blanco and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez have some fun during training at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Blanco celebrates his penalty kick against France in a 2-0 group-stage win at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Blanco dribbles against host South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Francisco Estrada/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images

Blanco celebrates a valuable goal in 2010 World Cup qualifying at Estadio Azteca against El Salvador.

Hector Vivas/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images

Blanco poses as part of EA Sports's FIFA 2010 cover release for the popular video game in North America.

Blanco is hoisted after a World Cup qualifying match against Canada in 2008.

Mario Castillo/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images

Blanco commanded plenty of media attention during his time in MLS with the Chicago Fire.

Never shy to express himself, Blanco gestures to a referee during the 2009 MLS Eastern Conference championship.

Blanco reacts after a goal in the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals against the New England Revolution.

Blanco tries his signature Cuauhtemiña in a 2008 match against the Columbus Crew, putting the ball between his legs and carrying it while jumping between a pair of defenders.

Blanco gets into it with Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman during a 2008 MLS match.

Blanco is presented 2008 MLS All-Star Game MVP honors by commissioner Don Garber after an MLS win over West Ham in Toronto.

Blanco and David Beckham congratulate their teammates during the 2008 MLS All-Star Game against West Ham.

Blanco's arrival in MLS with the Chicago Fire made for some front-cover headlines.

Blanco celebrates one of his 125 goals with Club America at a match at Azteca against Necaxa in 2006.

Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune/MCT/Getty Images

Blanco extends for the ball at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against the USA, which the Americans won 2-1 in Chicago.

Blanco argues with the referee in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match against the USA, which Mexico wound up winning 2-1.

Blanco lifts the trophy after America wins the 2005 Mexican Clausura championship.

Blanco and John O'Brien tussle for the ball in the 2002 World Cup round of 16, a match the Americans won 2-0.

Blanco celebrates his golden goal against the USA in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals on his home soil.

Blanco and Luis Hernandez train in Bolivia during the 1997 Copa America.

Blanco lifts the 1996 U.S. Cup at the Rose Bowl after his goal helped Mexico secure a 2-2 draw against the USA in the final, which was good enough to claim the title.

Published Jul 28, 2015

AVI CREDITOR

Avi Creditor is a senior editor and has covered soccer for more than a decade. He’s also a scrappy left back.