Miguel Herrera Officially Named Mexican Manager for World Cup Qualifiers

With their 2014 World Cup dreams still alive, Mexico have tabbed a new manager to lead El Tri in their pursuit of one of the final 11 spots for a trip to Brazil, according to ESPN.com.

According to a report from Jose Antonio Rodriguez and the ESPN FC staff, sources close to the situation say Club America coach Miguel "El Piojo" Herrera will replace Victor Manuel Vucetich at the head of the table and lead El Tri in their two-leg playoff against New Zealand in November. 

ESPN also provided statements from the official press conference announcing Herrera's hiring:

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"I have achieved the unconditional support from all the club owners to back Miguel Herrera so that he gets us qualified," said federation president Justino Compean Friday. "I am grateful to Club America for loaning us their entire technical staff for this important test. We have 180 minutes left."

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Herrera has been with America since November 2011. He also had coaching stops at Atlante, Monterrey, Veracruz and Estudiantes Tecos before moving to Liga MX. As a player, Herrera spent a brief stint with the Mexican national team in the early 1990s.    

If nothing else, it appears El Tri will have a fiery leader who won't be content with lackluster showings in any and all forms of international competition. 

Fox Soccer's Kyle McCarthy is quick to point out that the manager is going to have a very short leash before he's re-evaluated. 

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Herrera guaranteed just two matches in charge. FMF scheduled to convene another meeting to decide his future in December.

— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) October 18, 2013"

Vucetich took over in the wake of Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre's  firing following Mexico's shock 2-1 loss to Honduras at the Estadio Azteca on Sept. 6. El Tri has barely had time to adjust to Vucetich in charge and are coming off a 2-1 loss to Costa Rica on Tuesday night. 

Despite the setback, the U.S. victory over Panama on Tuesday allowed Mexico to finish fourth in the CONCACAF hex table and qualify for a two-leg showdown with New Zealand that will send only one team to Brazil. 

Although spirits were high in Mexico after learning that news, not everyone was satisfied with Vucetich's leadership.    

Chivas owner Jorge Vergara was the loudest voice in that crowd. According to a piece published by ESPNDeportes.com on Wednesday, Vergara hinted that Herrera was a candidate to replace the current front man. 

Mexico have qualified for five straight World Cups, but that streak is hanging by a thread, and key players like Vergara, who is on the 12-club owners' association, are committed to ensuring El Tri are among the 32 countries represented at the World Cup next summer.   

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