Diego Forlan appointed Uruguay manager following Marcelo Bielsa’s exit
Diego Forlan has been appointed as the interim manager of the Uruguay national football team following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa. Forlan will lead the team through the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle and the 2027 South American U20 Championship.
Why it matters
Forlan is a legendary figure in Uruguayan football, and his appointment marks a strategic attempt by the federation to stabilize the team after a disappointing tournament performance.
Uruguay have turned to one of their greatest-ever footballers to lead the national team into a new era.
Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) president Ignacio Alonso confirmed Diego Forlan will be appointed as interim manager following Marcelo Bielsa's departure.
The former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal forward will take charge of La Celeste until March 2027, with the federation set to review his position thereafter.
Forlan's appointment comes after Bielsa stepped down following Uruguay's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.
Despite arriving at the tournament with high expectations, Uruguay suffered a group-stage exit after collecting just two points from their matches against Spain , Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia .
The AUF has opted against making a long-term commitment due to upcoming federation elections later this year, meaning a decision on Forlan's future will be made after the interim period.
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