Fernando Hierro assumed leadership of Chivas’ football operations, stepping in after Ricardo Peláez. After years of limited impact under Peláez as sports director, Amaury Vergara surprised many by naming Hierro, a storied figure in Spanish football, to head Chivas’ athletic project.
One of Hierro’s early moves was to appoint Veljko Paunovic, the Serbian coach, following the departure of Ricardo Cadena. The aim was clear: restore the club from a period without a league title that stretched back to 2017, when Matias Almeyda led the team to glory. Hierro’s appointment marked a shift in strategy as Chivas sought a new path to success.
Even as his tenure began, Hierro earned a measured reception. His work has yielded several wins on and off the field, contributing to a more positive mood among fans after a stretch of tough results. Chivas supporters noticed a shift in direction and an opening for renewal under Hierro’s leadership.
In this overview, the focus is on how Hierro has shaped the club and its approach to development, performance, and leadership within the squad.
FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Chivas has long emphasized the value of its academy and homegrown talent. From the outset, Hierro established a close connection to the players from the Tapatío first team in the expansion league and to the Under 20 squad. This alignment helped the coach Veljko Paunovic build a bridge between the reserve groups and the senior team, with young talents such as Pável Pérez becoming integral to the first team’s plans.
STEADYING THE SHIP
Hierro chose to stay out of the spotlight, allowing Paunovic and the president Amaury Vergara to handle public-facing communications and media relations. This approach reduced external pressure and created space for the technical staff to implement a coherent plan. The strategy appears to be paying dividends as the club works to regain consistency and results on the pitch.
Overall, the leadership team has pursued a clear course: empower the coaching staff, cultivate homegrown talent, and pursue steady progression on multiple fronts. While challenges remain, the current dynamic at Chivas reflects a deliberate effort to reestablish the club as a force within the Liga MX landscape.