As a player, he was on the bubble to make the Mexican team for the 1994 World Cup, but was scratched after he wildly tackled a Honduras player during a qualifying match. He still insists he doesn't know why he didn't make the team.
His coaching career began in 2002, but it wasn't until nine years later that he became well known as the manager for the America team. He led the underperforming club to the Mexican league championship last year, and earned a reputation for turning teams around.
Herrera was chosen as an interim solution last fall when little hope was left for Mexico to qualify for the World Cup. He took the reins as the team limped into an inter-continental playoff thanks to a win over Panama by its eternal rival, the United States.
"He revived the team and the country," said Hector Diaz, 27, a Mexico fan on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, sporting a Mexican jersey and enormous green sombrero. "He lives soccer as if he were there on the field playing. It's easy for fans to identify with his enthusiasm."
