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The Uruguayan Football Association announced on Thursday the appointment of former striker Diego Forlan as head coach of the senior national team. Forlan will simultaneously take charge of the Under-20 team in preparation for the 2027 South American U-20 Championship scheduled for January. In a brief statement the association confirmed that Forlan assumes responsibility for both squads following the conclusion of Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure.
ESPN reported that the role with the senior team is interim until March 2027 when the association holds presidential elections while the Under-20 position is permanent. Bielsa an Argentine coach who had been in charge for three years was dismissed after Uruguay exited at the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament performance saw the team finish third in Group H with two points according to FIFA records.
Forlan’s playing career with Uruguay stands among the most decorated in the country’s history according to national federation data. He scored 36 goals in 112 appearances placing him third on the all-time scorers list behind Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Forlan helped Uruguay reach the 2010 World Cup semi-finals where he claimed the best player award after scoring five goals and he also contributed to the 2011 Copa America triumph.
The new coach brings limited prior managerial experience at club level according to Transfermarkt statistics. Forlan led Penarol during the 2019-2020 season recording four wins three draws and four losses across 11 matches. His subsequent spell at Atenas in Uruguay’s second division produced four wins five draws and three defeats in 12 games for an overall win rate of roughly 35 percent.
Uruguay’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup came after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia a 2-2 tie against Cape Verde and a 0-1 loss to Spain as detailed in ESPN coverage. This outcome represented the second successive World Cup in which the two-time world champions failed to advance from the group phase. The association moved quickly to install Forlan in the wake of that result.
QNA noted that the appointment extends Forlan’s involvement with national teams as he transitions from his storied playing days into a leadership position across age groups. The dual mandate aligns senior squad rebuilding with youth development ahead of the regional Under-20 event. No further details on tactical plans or support staff were included in the initial announcement.
