Former Mexico national team coach and current Tijuana boss Miguel "Piojo" Herrera has denied rumours that he is in talks with Chile football federation officials to take charge of that country's national team following Jorge Sampaoli's resignation last week.
Andres Fazio, Chile federation vice president told ESPN.mx on Tuesday, that the federation "was still in the process of studying options," but admitted that Herrera was a fine coach and would be a great option, although there had been no formal offer made to him.
"I am happy in Tijuana," Herrera told MedioTiempo. "I am grateful that my name has come up, when I came to Xolos, I heard my name being tossed around at a lot of places, but no one spoke directly with me. The only team that made a formal offer and handed me over a project was that of [club president] Jorge Alberto [Hank] and that is why I am here."
Sampaoli led Chile to the 2015 Copa America title, but resigned last week after being at odds with the federation over compensation and his contract buyout. The federation has reportedly considered several candidates, including Manuel Pellegrini and Marcelo Bielsa, but has not found a replacement.
Chile play their next match on March 24 when they host Argentina in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Herrera took the Tijuana post after being fired by the Mexican football federation (FMF) for a skirmish with a TV commentator the day after El Tri won the Gold Cup last July. Xolos are currently ninth in the Liga MX table and Herrera is 3-1-1 since taking over.
"My head is with Tijuana, I told them I was not coming just to stay on for six months or a year," Herrera said. "I have come to stay for a long time and I can't be involved in four or five games and then say goodbye to a project."
.@MiguelHerreraDT atiende a medios de comunicación después del duelo ante @murcielagosfc de @LaCopaMX pic.twitter.com/KwhIfkkXeW
- @XolosOficial (@XolosOficial) January 27, 2016
Xolos won their first home match against Murcielagos, 2-1, on Wednesday.
"We have to be more convincing," Herrera said of his team. "We gave our rival the advantage and they they came to close in on us. Then we had to row even harder against the current to get the result. But the players have a good attitude and they are here to be contenders with the idea that they can fight with anyone for a spot."