Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez should step down from the top level in order to show the soccer world how good he is, according to Mexico national team head coach Miguel Herrera.

Herrera told Spanish newspaper Marca on Monday that Chicharito should play for a club smaller than Real Madrid or Manchester United.

“Maybe he should go to a smaller, but still important club, where he would be a set starter and show that he is a great striker,” Herrera said.

Chicharito joined Real Madrid from Manchester United last summer on a season-long loan, but he has spent much of the season on the bench.

Herrera understands why Chicharito hasn’t played much in the last three seasons but also notes the improvement the Mexican marksman has made while playing for two superpowers of the soccer world.

“It doesn’t surprise me that before he played very little because the competition at a club like Madrid is enormous,” Herrera said. “He’s a striker who, even without playing, has progressed a lot.”

Barring a drastic turn of events, Real Madrid won’t sign Chicharito to a permanent deal this summer, and Manchester United will try to sell him to another club.

Chicharito likely will reject offers to leave Europe for MLS. He still might have a host of European options to consider should he heed his national team coach’s advice — especially if his recent hot streak in front of goal continues through the end of Real Madrid’s season and stretches into this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Futbol_ahora