Once Caldas Parts Ways With Manager Hernán Darío Herrera After Defeat to Bucaramanga

The End of a Three-Year Tenure in Manizales

Herrera’s exit from the Manizales club followed consecutive league losses, including a 1–0 defeat away to Deportivo Pasto in Nariño prior to the Bucaramanga match. Following the weekend result, the club confirmed that Herrera stepped down after reaching an agreement with the institution. Carlos “Panelo” Valencia was subsequently appointed as interim manager.

During his time in charge, Herrera directed 155 games, recording 67 victories, 40 draws, and 48 defeats, which yielded a 43.23% win rate and 201 goals for against 161 against. Media reports from outlets such as El VBar Caracol and journalist Felipe Sierra noted that Herrera submitted his resignation immediately following the Friday fixture, which club directors promptly accepted.

From Relegation Threat to International Contender

Herrera originally took over the managerial reins in October 2023, arriving after serving as assistant to the late Pedro Sarmiento. At the time of his appointment, Once Caldas faced serious relegation concerns with a 1.14 average, hovering near the bottom of the domestic table alongside Unión Magdalena and Atlético Huila.

Over the next three seasons, the “Arriero” steered the team away from the drop zone and into two league quadrangular appearances as well as the tournament semifinals. In 2024, improved sporting and financial stability helped the club qualify for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, where Once Caldas reached the quarterfinals for the first time in its history. The period also coincided with veteran striker Dayro Moreno breaking the all-time scoring record in Colombia’s top flight under Herrera’s guidance.

Wider Managerial Turnover Across Liga BetPlay

Herrera's departure highlights the volatility of Colombian football coaching, marking the sixth change of the current semester. The managerial turnover began in August when Richard Páez left Cúcuta, with Nicolás Chiesa later taking over following a mutual termination. Jonathan Risueño subsequently exited Pasto, Camilo Ayala departed Alianza FC, Alfredo Arias left Junior, and Fabián Bustos stepped down at Millonarios, where Alberto Gamero returned to the bench.

With Once Caldas sitting on 12 points outside the top-eight qualification zone past the midpoint of the regular phase, the club’s leadership opted for a change in direction.