Special: Hierro retires from football

We, that means a handful of madridistas, weren't gone when he came out, instead we patiently waited about half an hour more. Then he came, but not like the others in his car, no, on foot! He gently walked out and suddenly it caught all of us, an amazing atmosphere that was coming from him, an aura that's really hard to describe, you must have lived. Patiently he fullfilled all autograph and picture wishes before he went to the bar inside the shopping mall "Esquina del Bernabeu", right next to the puerta. I stood there for a while, impressed by this personality that showed his dignity to the fans and staying with both his feet very much to the ground. A simple, quiet man that has an aura that only a few people have. An impression that he not only left on me, but also on Sarah Edworthy: "He has warm eyes, and shows a friendly receptiveness and sense of humor that clashes with his battle-hardened, referee-challenging on-field image."

According Steve McManaman nothing worked without the "yes" of Hierro. Maybe that was what finally paved his shocking release from RM after his fallout with president Perez. An "adiós" that was a massive shock, how Steve McManaman later admitted. "The whole winning-the-league celebration was a bit odd, but what hurt most were the departures". Sports-director Jorge Valdano called it "the end of a cycle", and he had no idea how right he was with that.

Del Bosque, who's been shown the door at the same day commented: "When Fernando left, we lost one of the finest players in Spanish football. I was fortunate to have worked with him in my time here, and he always gave everything he had for the team. He was an exemplary player on and off the pitch and gave his all for the team and the club. He was sometimes criticised for that, but Fernando always acted in the best interests of Real Madrid."

He did not deserve leaving the club this way all what he has done to Real Madrid. He lived it with his love, success and passion. Its this love to the club we fans appreciate so much. And it really breaks a true fan's heart to see him leave like that.

His own career wasn't over though. He joined Qatari side Al Rayyan on a one-year contract, before signing for Bolton at the start of the current campaign. While Madrid have not won a major trophy since, Hierro has scored two goals in 28 Premiership appearances for Bolton to help the English side qualify for Europe for the first time.

Last week, after 18 years of professional football, he now has announced to hang up his boots with the words: "It's the right time to go. I'm bowing out at the top and I feel proud." We feel proud to have known him, to have been witnessed a legend. What remains is the remembrance on a legend in football and a great personality. To say it simple with Jay-Jay Okocha's words: "there's no doubt that we'll miss him". Football will miss him.

In February he told fifaworldcup.com "Once I've quit playing then I'll start thinking about what it is I really want to do next. Football has been my life. It's what gives me the most satisfaction, which is why I want to carefully consider my next move." But we and Vicente del Bosque hope that he keeps the faith with football: "I don't know if he will go into coaching but he should remain in football because he has a special gift for it."


by LaBlanca

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Hierro today, gone tomorrow

Bolton's Spanish legend declares his intention to retire at the end of the season

The Guardian,
Monday May 9, 2005

Former Spain and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro has stunned Bolton Wanderers supporters by announcing that he will draw the curtain on his career at the end of this season.
"I'm clear about the decision but I wanted to leave it while I'm still playing at a high level," the 37-year-old defender told Radio Marca today. Hierro, who made a record 89 international appearances as an outfield player for Spain, joined Bolton on a one-year contract last July after a season in Qatar playing
He joined Real Madrid from Valladolid in 1989 and went on to help the team win six Spanish league titles and three European Cups during his 14 years at the club.
He was discarded by Real along with coach Vicente del Bosque a day after the club won the league title in June 2003. Real have not won a major trophy since the two men left.

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Was playing in the English Premier League an unfulfilled ambition?
Yes, for me it’s a dream come true because after the Spanish league, it was the only other place that I thought about playing. What attracted me in particular was the way people live and breathe the game over here. When the opportunity arose to play in England at the age of 36, it was not an easy decision. Fortunately, I’d had a year in Qatar, which gave me time to reflect on things. So I decided to return to top-flight football and, truth be told, I’m loving it.

Do you think the Premier League is the toughest league in the world, and how does it compare to the Spanish League?
Well, I think it’s right up there. I spent 16 years playing in the La Liga and believe it’s the most tactical. Having said that, over here (in England) there is a footballing culture and an appreciation of the game that is very special.

How was playing for Al-Rayyan Sports Club in Qatar?
I made the decision to go there because after 14 seasons at Real Madrid, I felt I needed a break. It was a good opportunity for me. The Qatari people were great and I have fond memories of my time there. They were trying to develop the game in their country, so from that perspective it was a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.

There is still a perception among some people that your departure from Real Madrid in 2003 was rather less than amicable. Is that how it was?
No it isn’t. I said it at the time and I’ll say it again: I think things could have been handled better. The club offered me a one-year contract, but I felt it was the right time to leave. We had just won the title again and I wanted to quit at the very top. Real Madrid know where to find Fernando Hierro, and Fernando Hierro knows where to find Real Madrid. The whole affair was perhaps a bit rough, but there’s no bad feeling. The only thing that remains is the memory of 14 wonderful years.

Now that you have left the club, do you still get upset when things go badly for Real Madrid, like they have done this season?
Listen, Real Madrid is a side built to win. The history and mentality of the team, as well as the people it represents, demand success. A year without a title is a bad year. But this season they are still in contention in La Liga and in the Champions League, and that’s where you’ll see the true Real Madrid. It’s at decisive moments when faced with adversity that the side comes into its own.

Why do you think the team has not lived up to expectations recently?
Well no team is capable of winning the league every year. What happened is that between 1996 and 2003 the side won major titles year after year. That kind of sustained success makes it all the more noticeable when you have a barren spell. Given the club’s tremendous potential, they are well positioned to continue competing for the top honours in the game.

Could it be that after so much success, there is a lack of motivation among some at the club?
No, I don’t think so. Motivation is all about attitude, and I think at Madrid the desire is always there.

You never won a title with the national side. Would you say that was an unfulfilled ambition in your career?
Yes, it’s the one black spot. We always did very well in the qualifiers, but once we reached the latter stages of the major championships, a penalty kick or something or other always got in our way and we invariably failed to get past the quarter-finals. At USA 94 and Korea/Japan 2002 we were so close.

Will Spain qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ ?
I certainly think so. In my opinion, our biggest rival will be Serbia & Montenegro, but I have a lot of faith in the coach.

Has the appointment of the experienced coach Luis Aragonés been good for the Spanish national side?
If there was one coach in Spain who deserved a chance to manage the national side, it was Aragonés. He’s vastly experienced and someone who has been at the heart of Spanish football for a long time. He’ll bring a lot to the team.

Before Raúl overtook you, you were Spain’s leading goal-scorer with 29 goals. In the list of your country’s top marksmen, you are ahead of such legendary strikers as Di Stéfano and Butragueño. Would you describe yourself as a goal-scoring defender or a frustrated striker?
I’m a defender by definition, but not at heart. I’ve always maintained that I’m a defender with the heart and soul of a forward. I never felt like I should dedicate myself entirely to defending. When I played for Spain, I often took up an attacking midfield role, where I ran into space. It’s a position I’ve always liked. I constantly stated my preferences to the coaches, but they ultimately decided where I played. Not to have respected that would have been unfair to my team-mates. But honestly, deep down, I know I wasn’t born to defend.

Your contract with Bolton Wanderers runs out at the end of this season. Any thoughts on what you will do after that?
I don’t know to be honest. It’s possible that these will be the last few months of my playing career. In fact, I thought that I would end my playing days in Qatar until this opportunity came along. Once I’ve quit playing then I’ll start thinking about what it is I really want to do next. Football has been my life. It’s what gives me the most satisfaction, which is why I want to carefully consider my next move.

So we can say for sure that this will be your last season as a player?
I’d say that there’s a very good chance of that.

So no plans of a return to the Bernabéu?
All that is for later. I’m not one of those people who is always looking ahead. For now I just want to enjoy my football and everything that comes with it.

Will you be watching the 2006 FIFA World Cup from the stands?
Yes, I will be watching as a fan, which is always great. Participating in a World Cup is such a marvellous experience that I’ll probably only realise how much I miss it when it comes around. For an international player, nothing compares to playing in the World Cup.

Of the many memories you must have of your career, which one was the best?
Perhaps having played for the best team in the world for so many years and being given the opportunity to play in four World Cups for my country.

And finally, who influenced you most as a coach?
Well, it would be unfair to say. I’ve worked with so many good people. However there’s one person I’ll be eternally grateful to, and that’s Vicente Cantatore. He made it possible for me to become a professional and carve out a career at Valladolid. He made my vocation clear to me and ultimately made me the man I am today.

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