Miguel Herrera has weighed in on his favorites to succeed him as Mexico national team coach, while also hinting he'd be open to a return to manage Club America again.
Herrera was famously fired as Mexico coach after attacking journalist Christian Martinoli in the Philadelphia airport the day after winning the 2015 Gold Cup.
In a recent interview on ESPN's Futbol Picante, Herrera said he thinks Marcelo Bielsa, Ricardo Ferretti and Ricardo La Volpe, his former manager at Atlante, would all be suitable candidates to replace him as coach.
"The names that have been mentioned are very good," Herrera said. "I like Bielsa, I love La Volpe [and] "Tuca" knows the medium very well."
"La Volpe is a great coach, I love him," added Herrera. "He has gone through a lot of things in his career. He more than has the ability."
It was La Volpe who led Mexico to an impressive run in the 2006 World Cup in Germany using a 5-2-3 formation that Herrera also used when he managed the team. The 47-year-old has also called the Argentine coach one of his inspirations.
Herrera also commented on his desire to return to coaching, saying if there are "possibilities," he's ready to listen, including his former Club America.
"[Current America coach Ignacio] 'Nacho' [Ambriz] is doing very well and I'm very happy for him," said Herrera. "People have to give him the right to be able to work, but if there are possibilities, I'm open for any team."
America started the season slowly under Ambriz, who took over for the fired Gustavo Matosas after he guided them to last season's CONCACAF Champions League title. However, America have found form in recent weeks and are making a charge at the top spot in the 2015 Apertura table.
Herrera believes that whoever is next in line for the Mexico job will inherit a very talented team that is ready to win.
"The players that were Under-17 World Cup champions [in Peru 2005] like Gio [dos Santos], Carlos Vela [and] Hector Moreno will be 28 or 29 [at the next World Cup], others like Andres Guardado will be 30, 31," Herrera said. "It will be a very good national team."
Mexico face Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina in a pair of September friendlies with World Cup qualifying and a Oct. 10 Confederations Cup playoff versus the United States looming.