Paco Herrera

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Herrera began his professional career with Sabadell in his native region, appearing in two Segunda División seasons with the team. In 1974, the 20-year-old signed with Sporting Gijón in La Liga, suffering relegation in his second year. In 1986, after a two-season spell with Levante, Herrera retired from football with Badajoz, at the age of 32, having played mainly for the Extremadurans in Segunda División B, the new third level created in 1977.

Herrera was connected to his last club, Badajoz, for several years as a manager, first coaching its youth sides and later acting as assistant. He would manage the first team in 24 games in two separate second division campaigns (18 in 1992–93 and six in 1994–95). During three seasons, Herrera then worked in the second level, with Numancia and Mérida, the only complete one being 1998–99. He was sacked by the latter in late November 1999, following a 1–3 loss at former club Levante; the team eventually ranked sixth, being however demoted due to financial irregularities. After two seasons in division two, with Albacete and Poli Ejido (finishing in tenth and 13th position respectively), Herrera was appointed at Recreativo in the same tier, being fired on 9 November 2003 after a 0–2 home loss against Andalusia neighbours Córdoba – the team had collected seven draws in 11 matches (plus two wins and as many losses). In the summer of 2004, he joined countryman Rafael Benítez's coaching staff in Liverpool, working as both assistant manager and chief scout for two years. Herrera left England in June 2006 and returned to his country, serving as director of football at Espanyol for three seasons. He left the club in February 2009 to manage Castellón, replacing Atlético Madrid-bound Abel Resino for the final 21 games of the campaign and leading the Valencians to the seventh place in the second division. On 4 February 2010, Herrera replaced Juan Carlos Garrido at the helm of Villarreal's…