Monday, July 13th 2026
Uruguay is preparing to entrust the leadership of the national team to one of the biggest figures in its history, after a disappointing campaign at the 2026 World Cup.
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan is close to a deal to take over at La Celeste, following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa.
The Argentine coach has left the post after failing to live up to expectations, leaving the Uruguayan Football Federation searching for a figure who can get the national team back on track.
The president of the federation, Ignacio Alonso, seems to have already identified the right man.
Forlan, who led Uruguay to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and triumph at the 2011 Copa America, is the top choice to lead this transition period.
A meeting between Forlan and the Federation’s Executive Council are scheduled to finalize an agreement with a dual role.
The plan is for Forlan to lead the U20 national team at the World Cup to be held in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, while simultaneously serving as the interim coach of the first team until March 2027.
The president of the federation, Ignacio Alonso, confirmed the talks and expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity for Forlan’s great experience to return to the service of Uruguayan football.
“We have the opportunity to include him, in this case, in the U20 national team”, declared Alonso.
“Having Diego within the structure of the national team, with all the experience he has, having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, is something very valuable.”
“He has worked with different methodologies, he has also created his own ideas, he has been a player national team and has experience as an elite coach. I think it’s a big opportunity. He’s also very excited.” the former striker is ready for the big pressure of leading the national team in the long term.
President Alonso made it clear that this dual role will also serve as a kind of trial.
“We are appointing a coach of the U20 who will also lead the matches of the first national team. After that, the situation itself will show how the evaluations will continue,” he said.
Other names also remain in discussion, including Marcelo Brolin, who led the U20 national team to the world title in 2023, but at the moment Forlan is seen as the main favourite.
In Montevideo, many people are comparing the possible appointment of Forlan to the rise of Lionel Scaloni in Argentina.
Scaloni was also initially appointed as an interim solution after Argentina’s disappointing performance at the 2018 World Cup.
He started working with youth teams and in tournaments such as L’Alcudia, before winning the trust of the players and the federation.
Scaloni then led Argentina to a World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Forlan will hope to follow a similar path.
The former Atletico Madrid forward has coaching experience at Uruguayan clubs Penarol and Atenas, while now could take on the biggest challenge of his career on the bench. /GazetaExpress/
Source: prizrenpost
