NEW YORK, Sporting Alert – Miguel Herrera is no longer the coach of Mexico, after he was fired on Tuesday for reportedly punching a reporter after leading his team to the CONCACAF Gold Cup title on Sunday.
According to reports, Herrera launched an attacked on TV Azteca reporter Christian Martinoli at the Philadelphia airport, with Univision Deportes showing a cell phone footage of some of the developments.
Martinoli said the incident between him and Herrera took place while the pair waited in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) line in Philadelphia on Monday, a day after Mexico defeated Jamaica 3-1 in the Gold Cup final to secure the country’s seventh hold on the trophy.
It is also understood that the outgoing coach told Martinoli that they should leave the terminal and head into the streets so they can settle their differences.
Following “a prompt and urgent investigation” and apparently speaking briefly to Herrera, the Mexican federation confirmed that the 47-year-old has had his contract terminated and he will no longer lead the national team.
“After listening to all my colleagues, I have made the decision to take Miguel Herrera out of the national team. It is not a simple decision, but it is the correct one,” Decio de Maria, the president of the Mexican federation, confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Matches never finish, and as public figures we have to keep that in mind.
“Everyone has had an opinion, but our values have to be kept, and no one can be above the type of situation we saw on Monday at the Philadelphia airport.”
De Maria said Mexico will begin its search for a new coach.
“Regarding a coaching replacement, we have to go out and look for coaches,” he said.
“Whatever decision we take will be criticized and analyzed, but we will make a decision that allows all of us to go to Russia in 2018.”
