Diego Forlán succeeds Marcelo Bielsa as Uruguay manager on temporary basis

The former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán is poised to take over on a temporary basis as the new Uruguay manager after Marcelo Bielsa left the role following a sorry World Cup campaign.

La Celeste were knocked out at the tournament’s group stage after two draws from their three games, before Bielsa took the blame for the disappointing results and performances amid reported tensions in the dressing room.

The Uruguayan Football Federation (AUF) president, Ignacio Alonso, told the television channel Teledoce that the 47-year-old is enthusiastic at the idea of taking over, with an agreement set to be found in a matter of hours.

Forlán scored 36 goals in 112 international matches, including a starring role in Uruguay’s run to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals which won him the Golden Boot. He retired from international football in 2014. Forlán will be in temporary charge of the side until March 2027 and also manage the under-20 team.

Forlán, who also played for Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and Inter among others, has had just two coaching jobs, with the Uruguayan top-flight side Peñarol in 2020 and a second-division side, Atenas, the following year.

As a player, Forlan spent two largely disappointing seasons at Old Trafford before a more fruitful spell in Spain.