Marcelo Bielsa steps down as Uruguay head coach after 2026 World Cup group-stage exit | OneFootball

Marcelo Bielsa has stepped down as Uruguay head coach after their group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup, accepting responsibility and describing the failure as unexpected and deeply frustrating.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Argentine said he had disappointed supporters and could not justify the outcome, while maintaining that his staff and players gave everything.

He rejected suggestions he bowed to player pressure before the decisive meeting with Spain, saying the side followed his consistent approach and that changing would have reflected badly on the squad.

He acknowledged pre-tournament talks with senior players, who asked for adjustments to working methods. He agreed to run single-group training, despite preferring split sessions to cut idle time and increase pitch work, and to reduce and space out brief team talks.

Those meetings, he said, were under 10 minutes and covered opponent analysis, refereeing, error correction and motivation. He accepted the proposals because the recipients of the message had the right to state preferences, and he played down leaks, adding the players did nothing to hinder his leadership.

On replacing Fernando Muslera at half-time, Bielsa said that after the goalkeeper’s mistake for Spain’s goal, Muslera told him he felt so affected he preferred to come off to avoid harming the team’s still intact chances. Bielsa called the gesture unusual and improper in football.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo