A legacy turned to leadership
Diego Forlán, the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner, has been tapped to steer Uruguay’s senior men’s side on an interim basis, stepping in for the departed Marcelo Bielsa.
Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguay Football Association, confirmed the move on Tuesday, noting that a permanent head coach will be identified before the close of the year or in early 2027.
Forlán, who earned 112 caps and scored 36 goals for La Celeste, will also take charge of the under‑20 squad and will guide the senior team through a series of friendlies scheduled for September, October and November.
The appointment comes after Uruguay’s group‑stage exit at the 2026 World Cup, where the team managed only three goals and finished winless, echoing their 2022 campaign.
Bielsa’s resignation follows a 0‑1‑2 record in the tournament, a result that left the federation searching for a swift solution as it looks to rebuild ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.
Forlán’s brief will include preparing the side for those matches while the association conducts a thorough search for a permanent manager, a process that could shape the nation’s direction in the next cycle.