Diego Forlan appointed Uruguay head coach and U20 lead | OneFootball

Diego Forlan has been appointed Uruguay head coach, the federation announced in a brief statement on Thursday, one month after the team's World Cup fiasco.

Echoing France's move with Zinédine Zidane, Uruguay have turned to a national legend after weeks of discussion. The 47-year-old succeeds Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, who departed after a three-year stint following a group-stage exit at this summer's tournament.

A former striker for Manchester United, Villarreal, Atlético de Madrid and Inter Milan, Forlan will also oversee the U20 side ahead of the continental tournament scheduled for January 2027.

Forlan is the national team's third-highest scorer, with 36 goals in 112 caps. He was named the best player at the 2010 World Cup and finished joint top scorer on five goals alongside Thomas Müller, David Villa and Wesley Sneijder. He also won the Copa América in 2011, the country's last major title.

His coaching record is far thinner. After an 11-match stint at CA Penarol in 2020, he managed a second-tier club for 12 games the following year.

Forlan will lead the national team through upcoming international windows and friendlies until March 2027. The federation will then decide whether to retain him, a call that will also hinge on internal elections due at the end of the year.

Source: L'Équipe

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