Hierro gets eye opener

Fernando Hierro, Bolton’s modest superstar, is a genuine soccer legend in a sport where the tag is attached too easily to the undeserving.

He was captain of Spain, winning 89 caps and setting himself high amongst the game’s defensive greats during four World Cups. Remarkably, he was also his country’s top scorer with 29 goals until Raul overtook him.

Hierro also has had 14 wonderful years at Real Madrid. They brought him three Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles

But you can forget all that because he has erased the memory of starring for the biggest club in the world to play Bolton and Sam Allardyce - a manager who
has won his total admiration already.

Hierro has signed for a year to get the taste of the Premiership he always craved but, even at 36, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of staying longer.

The switch from the pinnacle of Real Madrid to Bolton, via last season in Qatar, is no problem for nice guy Hierro.

He’s happy here and there will be no superstar sulks about the fact that he’s been left on the bench since arriving just before the start of the season.

Hierro admits the English way of
having a completely hands-on manager is something he finds quite remarkable.

He said: "One of the reasons I came to England was to experience the system where you have one strong manager running everything."

"In Spain everyone has their own job. The coach runs the team and that’s it. Other people are responsible for the
signings and someone else runs the official side."

"But here it is different. Sam does everything and I don’t know how he manages it. It has been a real surprise. It’s almost the case that if there was no tea in the dressing room he would get it sorted."

"You need great mental strength to cope with all the on-field stuff as well as being in charge of who comes to the club
and who leaves. That has really struck me."

"He’s a great bloke as well, such a strong character who gets on well with all the players."

Hierro admits he is uncomfortable at not being in the side but said: "I’m training hard and trying to make it difficult for the manager to leave me out."

"I’m not the type of player who will be knocking on his door saying ‘Look what I’ve achieved in football, why aren’t I
in?’ But I want to give him some decisions to make."