Miguel Herrera returns to Atlante as club prepares for its Liga MX comeback

Atlante keeps stacking big names ahead of its return to Liga MX. On Tuesday night, the Azulgranas officially announced Miguel “Piojo” Herrera as their new head coach, ending the cycle of Ricardo Carbajal, who had led the team during its stint in the Liga de Expansión.

Herrera arrives after a brief run with the Costa Rican national team and takes over just days after Atlante was knocked out of the playoffs by Tepatitlán.

A homecoming for “Piojo”

Herrera is coming back to a club he knows well. He had three separate spells as a player with Atlante — first in the 1989–90 season, then from 1991 to 1995, and finally closing out his professional career with the club in the 1999–2000 campaign.

Atlante’s return to the top flight

The “Potros” earned their way back to Liga MX through a major financial move. Last year, Grupo Salinas put Mazatlán FC up for sale. Several groups showed interest, but in December 2025, it became official: Atlante purchased the Mazatlán franchise rights, securing their return to Mexico’s top division.

Herrera’s international failure still lingers

Herrera arrives with baggage. His stint with Costa Rica was widely criticized. In a qualifying cycle many considered manageable for the Ticos, he failed to get the team to the World Cup, a result that ultimately cost him his job.

During his time in charge of “La Sele,” Herrera posted 7 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses. While the numbers don’t look terrible on paper, his inconsistency in key matches doomed Costa Rica’s campaign — and sealed his dismissal.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.