Fernando Hierro

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ruiz and the second or maternal family name is Hierro.
Fernando Hierro
Hierro as Spain manager at the 2018 World Cup
Personal information
Full name Fernando Ruiz Hierro
Date of birth (1968-03-23) 23 March 1968 (age 56)[1]
Place of birth Vélez-Málaga, Spain
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al Nassr (sporting director)
Youth career
1973–1978 Vélez
1979 Málaga
1980–1986 Vélez
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1987 Valladolid B
1987–1989 Valladolid 58 (3)
1989–2003 Real Madrid 439 (102)
2003–2004 Al-Rayyan 19 (3)
2004–2005 Bolton Wanderers 29 (1)
Total 545 (109)
International career
1989–1990 Spain U21 5 (2)
1989–2002 Spain 89 (29)
Managerial career
2014–2015 Real Madrid (assistant)
2016–2017 Oviedo
2018 Spain
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Fernando Ruiz Hierro (Spanish pronunciation: [feɾˈnando ˈʝero]; born 23 March 1968) is a Spanish football executive and former player who played as a centre-back, sweeper or defensive midfielder.

He won five La Liga and three Champions League trophies with Real Madrid in 14 years after signing from Valladolid, during which he appeared in 601 official matches.[2] He also competed professionally in Qatar and England.

Hierro represented Spain on 89 occasions, appearing in four World Cups and two European Championships. He started working as a manager in 2016 with Oviedo, being appointed at the helm of the national team two years later.

Club career

Early years and Real Madrid

Hierro was born in Vélez-Málaga, Province of Málaga. After beginning his football career at local club Vélez he had a very brief youth spell with neighbouring CD Málaga, where he was told he was not good enough for the sport, which prompted a return home.[3] He eventually made his La Liga debut with Real Valladolid, being bought by Real Madrid in the summer of 1989 after two solid seasons.

At Real, Hierro scored seven goals in 37 games in his first season, and eventually had his position on the field advanced by coach Radomir Antić, continuing his good performances with the addition of goals – he totalled an astonishing 44 league goals in three seasons, 21 alone in 1991–92, a career-best.[4][5] For years, he often partnered Manolo Sanchís in the centre of defence, being instrumental in the conquest of five leagues and three UEFA Champions League trophies[6][7][8] and being named captain after the latter's retirement.[9]

On 24 March 2002, Hierro scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 home win against Real Zaragoza,[10] although the ultimate champions would be Valencia. He was released at the end of the 2002–03 season alongside manager Vicente del Bosque,[11] under rather unceremonious circumstances; having appeared in 497 top-division matches over the course of 16 seasons (105 goals), he then chose a lucrative move to the wealthy but developing Middle East football industry, joining Qatar's Al-Rayyan.[12]

Bolton Wanderers

After just one year, Hierro returned to Europe to sign with Premier League side Bolton Wanderers[13] on the advice of his English teammate at Real Madrid Steve McManaman, and teaming up with another former player of that club, Iván Campo. He scored once during his tenure, which came in a 3–2 loss at Norwich City in December 2004[14] and, even though hard-pressed by fans and manager Sam Allardyce to stay for a further campaign,[15] he announced his retirement from professional football on 10 May 2005.[16]

International career

Hierro was capped 89 times for Spain and scored 29 goals, being only surpassed by Raúl (who also took over his captain armband in June 2002 when he retired), Álvaro Morata, David Silva, Fernando Torres and David Villa. He made his debut on 20 September 1989 – freshly signed by Madrid – in a 1–0 friendly victory over Poland in A Coruña,[17] and appeared for the nation in the 1990 (although only as a squad member), 1994, 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 1996 (where he missed a penalty as Spain crashed out to hosts England in a shootout) and 2000.[18]

One of Hierro's most important goals came during the 1994 World Cup qualification, as he headed the winner against Denmark that allowed ten-men Spain to qualify for the final tournament in the United States.[19] In the finals, he scored after an individual effort against Switzerland in the round of 16,[20] before his team was eliminated by Italy in the quarter-finals following a 2–1 loss.[21]

Coaching and executive career

Although he had already been in charge for a few weeks, Hierro was officially presented as sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in late September 2007.[22] He remained four years in the position.[23]

Hierro returned to his native region in July 2011, being appointed Málaga CF's director of football.[24][25] On 28 May 2012, even though the club finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever, he left his position.[26]

Hierro at the 2018 World Cup

On 10 July 2014, Hierro was named assistant coach of Real Madrid, replacing Zinedine Zidane – who left to take the reins of Real Madrid Castilla – in Carlo Ancelotti's staff.[27] He was given his first full managerial role two years later, being appointed at Segunda División side Real Oviedo for the upcoming season with the option of a further year;[28] on 14 June 2017, after missing out on the promotion playoffs on the final matchday, he left the Estadio Carlos Tartiere by mutual consent.[29]

Hierro returned to the Spanish Federation as sporting director on 27 November 2017.[30] He was appointed as the manager of Spain on 13 June 2018[31] after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui two days before their first match at the World Cup, following the latter's decision to join Real Madrid after the tournament.[32] Two days later, he led the team to a 3–3 group stage draw against Portugal;[33] on 8 July, following a penalty shootout loss to hosts Russia in the round of 16, he stepped down from his post and also announced that he would not return to his role as sporting director.[34]

On 21 October 2022, Hierro was announced as sporting director of Guadalajara in the Mexican Liga MX.[35] In June 2024, he joined Saudi Pro League's Al Nassr in the same capacity.[36]

Style of play

Equally at ease as a central defender, sweeper or defensive midfielder, Hierro had the ability, at his peak, to combine solid defensive play with a near-unlimited passing range and surprising goalscoring talent,[37] which made him one of the world's most sought-after players.[3] A large, physically imposing and intimidating defensive presence, he was also known for his positional sense, strength in the air, tenacity and the ability to time his challenges well.[38][39]

Regarded as a highly competitive and hard-tackling defender, The Times placed Hierro at number 43 in their list of the 50 hardest footballers in history in 2007.[40]

Personal life

Hierro's older brothers, Antonio and Manuel, were also professional footballers and defenders. The latter paired up with Fernando at Valladolid, as the club finished eighth in 1987–88.[41][42]

In 2021, Hierro began dating Croatian television journalist Fani Stipković, having divorced his wife of 28 years Sonia Ruiz.[43] They married in September 2023 in Mexico[44] and, the following month, welcomed their first child, Nicolás Valentín.[45]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[46][citation needed]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Valladolid 1987–88 La Liga 29 1 2 0 — — — 31 1
1988–89 La Liga 29 2 6 0 — — — 35 2
Total 58 3 8 0 — — — 66 3
Real Madrid 1989–90 La Liga 37 7 5 0 — 4[a] 0 — 46 7
1990–91 La Liga 35 7 1 0 — 5[a] 1 2[b] 0 43 8
1991–92 La Liga 37 21 7 3 — 9[c] 2 — 53 26
1992–93 La Liga 33 13 6 0 — 6[c] 5 — 45 18
1993–94 La Liga 34 10 3 0 — 4[d] 1 3[e] 1 44 12
1994–95 La Liga 33 7 2 0 — 5[c] 0 — 40 7
1995–96 La Liga 31 7 2 0 — 5[f] 1 2[b] 1 40 9
1996–97 La Liga 39 6 6 2 — — — 45 8
1997–98 La Liga 28 3 1 0 — 10[f] 3 1[b] 0 40 6
1998–99 La Liga 28 6 3 1 — 7[f] 1 2[g] 0 40 8
1999–2000 La Liga 20 5 2 0 — 10[f] 1 4[h] 1 36 7
2000–01 La Liga 29 5 1 0 — 12[f] 1 1[i] 0 43 6
2001–02 La Liga 30 5 3 0 — 14[f] 0 2[b] 0 49 5
2002–03 La Liga 25 0 1 1 — 10[f] 0 2[g] 0 38 1
Total 439 102 43 7 — 101 16 19 3 602 128
Al-Rayyan 2003–04 Qatar Stars League 19 3 0 0 — — — 19 3
Bolton Wanderers 2004–05 Premier League 29 1 4 0 2 0 — — 35 1
Career total 545 109 55 7 2 0 101 16 19 3 722 135
  1. ^ a b Appearances in European Cup
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in Supercopa de España
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in European Cup Winners' Cup
  5. ^ One appearance and one goal in Copa Iberoamericana, two appearances in Supercopa de España
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ^ a b One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance in Intercontinental Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Championship
  9. ^ Appearances in Intercontinental Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[18]
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 1989 2 0
1990 1 1
1991 4 0
1992 6 3
1993 6 2
1994 13 2
1995 7 3
1996 9 2
1997 6 2
1998 7 3
1999 6 5
2000 9 2
2001 7 2
2002 6 2
Total 89 29
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hierro goal.[18]
List of international goals scored by Fernando Hierro
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 19 December 1990 Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain  Albania 4–0 9–0 Euro 1992 qualifying
2 19 February 1992 Luís Casanova, Valencia, Spain  CIS 1–1 1–1 Friendly
3 11 March 1992 Nuevo José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain  United States 2–0 2–0 Friendly
4 22 April 1992 Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain  Albania 3–0 3–0 1994 World Cup qualification
5 28 April 1993 Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain  Northern Ireland 3–1 3–1 1994 World Cup qualification
6 17 November 1993 Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain  Denmark 1–0 1–0 1994 World Cup qualification
7 2 July 1994 RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, United States   Switzerland 1–0 3–0 1994 FIFA World Cup
8 17 December 1994 Constant Vanden Stock, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium 1–1 4–1 Euro 1996 qualifying
9 7 June 1995 Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain  Armenia 1–0 (p) 1–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
10 6 September 1995 Nuevo Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain  Cyprus 5–0 6–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
11 11 October 1995 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Denmark 1–0 (p) 1–1 Euro 1996 qualifying
12 4 September 1996 Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 5–1 6–2 1998 World Cup qualification
13 13 November 1996 Heliodoro Rodríguez López, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain  Slovakia 4–1 4–1 1998 World Cup qualification
14 30 April 1997 Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, Serbia  Yugoslavia 1–0 (p) 1–1 1998 World Cup qualification
15 8 June 1997 Nuevo José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain  Czech Republic 1–0 (p) 1–0 1998 World Cup qualification
16 13 June 1998 La Beaujoire, Nantes, France  Nigeria 1–0 2–3 1998 FIFA World Cup
17 24 June 1998 Félix-Bollaert, Lens, France  Bulgaria 1–0 (p) 6–1 1998 FIFA World Cup
18 14 October 1998 Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan, Israel  Israel 1–1 2–1 Euro 2000 qualifying
19 27 March 1999 Mestalla, Valencia, Spain  Austria 4–0 (p) 9–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
20 5 May 1999 Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain  Croatia 2–1 (p) 3–1 Friendly
21 5 June 1999 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain  San Marino 1–0 9–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
22 4 September 1999 Ernst-Happel, Vienna, Austria  Austria 2–1 3–1 Euro 2000 qualifying
23 8 September 1999 Nuevo Vivero, Badajoz, Spain  Cyprus 8–0 8–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
24 7 October 2000 Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain  Israel 2–0 2–0 2002 World Cup qualification
25 15 November 2000 La Cartuja, Seville, Spain  Netherlands 1–0 1–2 Friendly
26 24 March 2001 José Rico Pérez, Alicante, Spain  Liechtenstein 3–0 (p) 5–0 2002 World Cup qualification
27 2 June 2001 Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo, Spain  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 4–1 2002 World Cup qualification
28 2 June 2002 Gwangju World Cup Stadium, Gwangju, South Korea  Slovenia 3–1 (p) 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup
29 7 June 2002 Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea  Paraguay 3–1 (p) 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup
  • Notably, during the match against Austria on 4 September 1999, Hierro scored at both ends.[47]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 1 July 2018
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Oviedo Spain 8 June 2016 13 June 2017 43 17 10 16 50 51 −1 039.53 [48]
Spain Spain 13 June 2018 8 July 2018 4 1 3 0 7 6 +1 025.00
Total 47 18 13 16 57 57 +0 038.30 —

Honours

Real Madrid

Al-Rayyan

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Fernando Hierro" (in German). German Football Association. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Casillas, a un paso de Hierro y Gento" [Casillas, closing in on Hierro and Gento]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 23 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Biografía" [Biography] (in Spanish). Real Madrid Fans. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Un gol para un doble liderato" [One goal for a double first place] (PDF). Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 9 March 1992. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Hierro recibió el cariño y reconocimiento de todo el madridismo" [Hierro received the love and acknowledgement of the entire madridismo]. La Nación (in Spanish). 21 May 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  6. ^ "1997/98: Seventh heaven for Madrid". UEFA. 20 May 1998. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  7. ^ "1999/2000 Real Madrid CF 3–0 Valencia CF: Report". UEFA. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Madrid win ninth European crown". UEFA. 15 May 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  9. ^ Marín, Kike (15 June 2022). "Marcelo, por fin un capitán del Real Madrid se va sin que Florentino le considere una estafa" [Marcelo, finally a Real Madrid captain leaves without Florentino thinking of him as a fraud]. El Confidencial (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Spain round-up: Hierro hits hat-trick in Madrid victory". UEFA. 24 March 2002. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Axe falls on Del Bosque and Hierro". UEFA. 24 June 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  12. ^ "Hierro embraces Qatar challenge". UEFA. 27 August 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  13. ^ Eeles, Alex (12 August 2004). "Bolton ready for Hierro worship". UEFA. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Norwich 3–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 11 December 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  15. ^ Hunter, Graham (18 November 2008). "Hierro wise to the benefits of English approach". UEFA. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  16. ^ Hall, Andy (10 May 2005). "Hero Hierro calls it a day". UEFA. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  17. ^ "1–0: El pie de Míchel marcó ante Polonia el camino que España buscará en Hungria" [1–0: Míchel's foot set track in Poland that Spain will seek in Hungary]. ABC (in Spanish). 21 September 1989. p. 81. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Pierrend, Jose Luís (15 February 2003). "Fernando Ruiz Hierro – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 September 2006.
  19. ^ Fernández, Alberto (17 November 2015). "Cañizares debutaba en la selección siendo céltico" [Cañizares made national team debut as a céltico]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  20. ^ Álvarez, Eduardo (10 February 2012). "Week 21 – Il grande stratega". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  21. ^ "La resurrezione dell'Arrigo" [The resurrection of the Arrigo]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 10 July 1994. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Hierro será presentado el jueves como director deportivo de la Federación" [Hierro to be presented Thursday as sporting director of the Federation]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 September 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  23. ^ Roxburgh, Andy (31 December 2010). "Triumphant Spain share lesson in humility". UEFA. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  24. ^ Badía, Ana M. (7 July 2011). "Málaga CF: Fernando Hierro, la última estrella del jeque" [Málaga CF: Fernando Hierro, the sheikh's latest star]. Ideal (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  25. ^ "Málaga: Hierro anuncia que no es prioridad fichar en enero" [Málaga: Hierro announces there are no urgencies to sign in January] (in Spanish). Goal. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Hierro quits as Malaga general manager". FIFA. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  27. ^ Colino, Carmen (10 July 2014). "Fernando Hierro será el nuevo ayudante de Carlo Ancelotti" [Fernando Hierro will be Carlo Ancelotti's new assistant]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  28. ^ Kabelu, Beya (8 June 2016). "Fernando Hierro named new boss of Spanish side Real Oviedo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  29. ^ Millar, Colin (14 June 2017). "Hierro departs Real Oviedo". Football España. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  30. ^ "Fernando Hierro reappointed Spanish Football Association sporting director". ESPN. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  31. ^ Rubio, Carmelo (13 June 2018). "OFFICIAL | Fernando Hierro to assume role as head coach for the Russia World Cup". Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  32. ^ Lowe, Sid (13 June 2018). "Julen Lopetegui sacked as Spain manager after accepting Real Madrid job". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  33. ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo scores sensational hat-trick as Portugal hold Spain in instant World Cup classic". The Daily Telegraph. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  34. ^ "OFFICIAL | Fernando Hierro steps down as Spain sporting director". Royal Spanish Football Federation. 8 July 2018. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  35. ^ R. Yu, Kevin (21 October 2022). "Fernando Hierro es presentado con Chivas: "Es un gigante que tiene que volver a ilusionar"" [Fernando Hierro is presented at Chivas: "They are a giant that have to make people dream again"] (in Spanish). TUDN. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Fernando Hierro joins Ronaldo's Al-Nassr as sporting director". Reuters. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  37. ^ "World Record of the national championships (1888/89 – 2007)". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  38. ^ "Last action Hierro". The Guardian. 6 April 2003. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  39. ^ Marsden, Samuel (2 October 2013). "Ranking the 20 Most Intimidating Defenders in La Liga History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  40. ^ "Top 50 hardest footballers". Empire. 13 August 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  41. ^ Extremera, Fran (17 September 2013). "Fallece el padre de Fernando y Manolo Hierro" [Father of Fernando and Manolo Hierro dies]. La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  42. ^ "La saga de los Hierro" [The Hierro saga] (in Spanish). Historias del Real Madrid. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  43. ^ Corbella, Enrique (7 June 2023). "Fernando Hierro (55) y Fani Stipkovic (40) anuncian que van a ser padres: las reacciones del mundo del fútbol" [Fernando Hierro (55) and Fani Stipkovic (40) announce they are becoming parents: football world reacts]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  44. ^ Leljak, Damir (27 September 2023). "Vjenčanje Fani Stipković i Fernanda Hierra: Donosimo detalje intimne ceremonije u Meksiku" [Fani Stipković and Fernando Hierro's wedding: We bring you all the details of the private ceremony in Mexico] (in Croatian). Gloria. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  45. ^ Córdoba, Adrián (31 October 2023). "El curioso nombre de Fernando Hierro y Fani Stipkovic para su primer hijo juntos" [Fernando Hierro and Fani Stipkovic's funny name for their first son together]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  46. ^ Fernando Hierro at BDFutbol
  47. ^ "España vuelve a ganar a Austria y pone un pie en la fase final de la Eurocopa del 2000" [Spain defeat Austria again and are all but qualified to Euro 2000]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 4 September 1999. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  48. ^ "Hierro: Fernando Ruiz Hierro". BDFutbol. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  49. ^ "Las competiciones oficiales de la CONMEBOL" [The CONMEBOL official competitions] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  50. ^ Leme de Arruda, Marcelo. "FIFA XI´s Matches – Full Info". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  51. ^ "UEFA Club Defender of the Year". UEFA. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
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