Miguel Herrera to stay as Mexico’s World Cup coach

To the great surprise of no one, Miguel Herrera, the interim coach of Mexico’s World Cup team, has seen his stay extended at least through this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Teams owners in Mexico’s domestic Liga MX, many of whom are on the board of directors of Mexico’s soccer federation, met late Monday and decided to keep Herrera with the national team when his season as coach with Club America ends.

The federation left open the possibility that Herrera could stay in the post through the 2018 World Cup as well. It is rare for Mexican national coaches to remain with the team beyond one World Cup.

“Contracts are open, there is no expiration date,” Hector Gonzalez, Mexico’s national team director, said at a press conference Monday. “The plan is to start the project with Miguel Herrera [in] Brazil 2014 and continue with the coaching staff.”

When Herrera was appointed interim coach in mid-October he became Mexico’s fourth coach in six weeks. The team struggled in World Cup qualifying and advanced to an intercontinental playoff only after two late goals from the U.S. eliminated Panama on the final day of regional qualifying.

Herrera coached the team in the two-leg playoff with New Zealand, which Mexico won on a 9-3 aggregate, earning its invitation to Brazil.

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