Hierro hopes to repeat Zidane's coaching success

SOCHI, Russia (AP):

Fernando Hierro didn't hesitate when asked if he would be happy to become the Zinedine Zidane of the national team.

"Where do I sign?" said Hierro, smiling broadly only a few hours after being named Spain coach in a chaotic shuffle two days before the team's opening World Cup match. "Hopefully."

Hierro is taking on a major coaching job without any significant previous experience, just as Zidane did at Real Madrid. The former France great went on to win three straight Champions League titles as coach before quitting last month.

Hierro took over as Spain coach yesterday shortly after the national football federation's shocking decision to fire Julen Lopetegui for accepting a job to lead Real Madrid next season without letting officials know in advance.

Hierro's first match in charge will be tomorrow against European champion Portugal in the teams' World Cup opener in Sochi.

"I couldn't have said no." Hierro said. "I wouldn't forgive myself."

The 50-year-old Hierro, who was acting as the federation's sports director in Russia, has loads of experience as a player, but his only head-coaching job was with second-division club Real Oviedo two seasons ago. He had previously been Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Real Madrid after Zidane left the post in 2014.

"I only have one year of experience with Oviedo and one year of experience as an assistant coach," Hierro said. "(But) I've been near a ball for 30 years."

The former defender spent most of his career with Madrid, including two seasons as Zidane's teammate, before finishing his playing days with English club Bolton in 2005.

Playing experience

He has experience from playing in four World Cups with Spain, starting in 1990 and ending in 2002. He also played at two European Championships, in 1996 and 2000.

At Real Madrid, he helped the team win five Spanish league titles and three Champions League trophies, including as a teammate of Zidane's in 2002.

Hierro said coaching remained in his plans but admitted that he wasn't expecting it to happen like this.

"I like to go step by step," he said. "After coaching Oviedo, I knew I wanted to coach again. Then this happened with the federation, and the circumstances made it possible. This is football. We never know what's going to happen."