 Suffering top flight relegation with the "Verdiblancos" he subsequently joined CD Tenerife– also in the top division and on loan – and retired from football at 32, having amassed professional totals of 206 games and 11 goals.After retiring as a player, Hierro served as director of football to his first team – now renamed Málaga CF – for several seasons.In early 2006, following the dismissal of Antonio Tapia, he was named head coach, as the club was eventually relegated from the first division and he was relieved of his duties as both director and manager.