Mexican coach Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera, dismissed by Costa Rica in November after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, has returned to Liga MX as head coach of Atlante, the club announced Tuesday. The appointment marks Herrera’s third stint with the historic Mexico City side and ends a five-month period out of club management for the 58-year-old, who had been working as a television commentator since his exit from La Sele.
Atlante, founded 110 years ago and relegated from the top flight in 2014, will return to Liga MX for the upcoming Apertura 2026 tournament. The club secured its place in the first division by purchasing the franchise rights from the operators of Mazatlán FC rather than through sporting promotion, which Mexican soccer has not reinstated. Atlante will play its home matches on Friday nights at the renovated Estadio Azteca, becoming the fourth Mexico City club in the top division.
Herrera was a key midfielder for the azulgranas when they won the Mexican Primera title in the 1992-93 season, defeating Monterrey on a 4-0 aggregate. He retired with the club in 2000 and returned in 2002 for his first managerial job, then came back again in November 2010 for a second spell. “There are loves you never forget, and challenges only the great ones accept,” the club wrote on social media in announcing his return. His coaching staff includes Argentine goalkeeper Federico Vilar, an azulgrana legend, and Ricardo Carbajal.
For us here in Costa Rica, the hiring closes the chapter on Herrera’s turbulent 10-month run with La Sele. He took over the national team in January 2025 after the departures of Gustavo Alfaro and Claudio Vivas, charged with leading Costa Rica to a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Instead, the Ticos finished third in Group C of CONCACAF qualifying behind Haiti and Honduras, with a goalless draw against the Catrachos in the final matchday sealing elimination and denying the team even an intercontinental playoff berth. Herrera’s overall record across 15 matches stood at seven wins, five draws, and three losses.
Speaking to Mexican reporters after his dismissal, Herrera did not deflect criticism. “It’s a failure; we have to accept it and face it,” he said, calling it the lowest point of a coaching career spanning more than two decades. He pointed to the rising competitiveness of Caribbean sides and the difficulties of the expanded 48-team World Cup format, but stopped short of placing blame on his squad, describing the current generation of Costa Rican players as a “pool of very interesting players” capable of leading the country forward.
Herrera, who managed Mexico at the 2014 World Cup and won two Liga MX titles with Club América, will balance his new club role with World Cup commentary duties. He has confirmed he will work as an analyst for the 2026 tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada — a tournament Costa Rica will watch from home for the first time since 2010.
The Apertura 2026 tournament kicks off July 16, giving Herrera roughly 11 weeks to assemble a squad capable of competing in the top flight. Atlante finished eighth in the Liga de Expansión MX standings this past season. The Costa Rican Football Federation, meanwhile, continues its search for Herrera’s replacement as it begins rebuilding toward the 2030 qualifiers.
