Miguel Herrera fired after altercation with TV Azteca commentator

Miguel Herrera, El Tri’s exhibitionist coach, known for his sideline over the top gesticulations and gyrations was fired by the Mexican Football Federation after punching Christian Martinoli, a television commentator for TV Azteca. This was just two days after El Tri turned in its best performance to win the 2015 Gold Cup. ESPN reports Martinoli’s description of what transpired.

“I looked down to avoid any kind of provocation and suddenly feel a blow to the neck on the right side of my body. The next thing I see when I look up Luis Garcia is separating a madman who threw punches and kicks while I was insulted,” said Martinoli, who added that he wasn’t surprised by the emotional coach’s reaction.

Martinoli was known as a fierce critic of Herrera and wasn’t exactly enamoured of El Tri’s performance in the Gold Cup. Tom Marshall writing for ESPN in an article mentions that the animosity became personal after the journalist was perceived as insulting to Herrera’s daughter. The punch up happened at Philadelphia International Airport while waiting for a flight. FMF’s incoming president Decio De Maria acted speedily to remove Herrera also known as Piojo (“Louse”).

“After listening to all my colleagues who are part of this federation, and reasoning I have made the decision to take Miguel Herrera out of the national team,” De Maria said. “It is not a simple decision, but it is the correct one.”

The sense is El Tri won the Gold Cup but very few liked the way they won and the Panama match left a very sour taste. Mexico should have been eliminated at the semi-final stage and it was Mark Geiger’s horrible officiating which ensured them passage.

Herrera’s firing was influenced by the enormous clout wielded by TV Azteca’s owner Grupo Salinas’s in Mexican soccer. They own Liga MX club Morelia and Atlas as well as the national broadcasting rights to El Tri along with Televisa. In line with that thinking, TV Azteca demanded an investigation by the FMF. In a statement:

“Our country needs brave journalists, who are able to share their opinions and who enjoy the freedom of doing so without being attacked,” the statement said. “Mexico needs more liberty, more public debate and less violence.”

There is also the feeling Herrera made himself toxic after tweeting his support of the Green Party on the day of Mexico’s general elections held this June.

Herrera seems to have been by most accounts well supported by his players but the FMF was less impressed by his combative personality. He definitely deserves credit for turning around Mexico’s fortunes with an improved 2014 World Cup performance where they entered the round of 16 after a dismal round of qualifiers nearly resulted in their elimination and it was the USA bailing them out with a 3-2 win over Panama.

That lifeline secured them the playoff battle against New Zealand which they won. Mexico’s coaching musical chairs continues as Herrera becomes the sixth victim coach to be fired since the 2010 World Cup. No replacement has been named and the FMF is seemingly in no hurry.