Where is Fernando Hierro now?
Football fans were shocked when Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro signed for Bolton Wanderers, but he was persuaded by former team-mates Steve McManaman and Ivan Campo.
Although he only spent one year at the club before finishing his playing career in 2005, many of the Bolton faithful were appreciative of the fact that he always put in a shift and wasn’t just at that club for a last big payday.
During his illustrious 22-year playing career, Hierro won a number of trophies including five La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League on three occasions with Real Madrid.
He was also an important member of the Spain national side in the 1990’s winning 89 caps and scoring 29 goals.
After a few years enjoying retirement, Hierro returned to the game in 2007 as the Spanish FA’s director of football and oversaw the emergence of the world-beating Spain side that won the 2008 UEFA European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After his success with the national team he moved back to the domestic game to join La Liga side Malaga in 2011 as their director of football but only stayed for a year before leaving due to the club’s financial difficulties.
In 2014 Hierro made a return to Real Madrid when he replaced Zinedine Zidane as the club’s assistant coach working alongside manager Carlo Ancelotti.
After Ancelotti was sacked in May 2015, Hierro was asked to stay on as a coach by new manager Rafael Benitez but he refused the offer as he wanted to start a new career as a manager.
In June 2016, he got his first taste of first team management when he was appointed head coach of Spanish Second Division side Real Oviedo. Unfortunately his side missed out on the promotion play-offs on the last day of the season and he left the club by mutual consent after spending just one season at the club.
In November 2017, Hierro made a return to the Spanish FA to work once again as the director of football – the position had been vacant since he left six years previous.
In a move that surprised many, he was drafted in as head coach of the Spanish national team just days before the FIFA 2018 World Cup when Julen Lopetegui was sacked for agreeing to join Real Madrid without consulting the Spanish FA.
Taking over an ageing Spain squad who looked to be well past their best, Hierro’s side were knocked out in the second round to host nation Russia and he subsequently stepped down as manager.
In 2022 he made a return to football when he was appointed in his current role as sporting director of Mexican side CD Guadalajara.
Back to Bolton Wanderers
Fernando Hierro: Premier League Statistics
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Position | Defender |
| Appearances | 29 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Premier League Teams Played for | Bolton Wanderers |
Statistics courtesy of www.premierleague.com
Last Updated on 8 September 2023 by Admin