Diego Forlan named Uruguay head coach after disappointing World Cup showing

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/forlan-diego/AgK0X9Xg/"]Forlan[/a] will take over, reportedly on an interim basis, from Marcelo Bielsa who stepped down following [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uruguay/xMk44orG/"]Uruguay[/a]'s group-stage exit from the World Cup.[/p][p][b]"Diego Forlan is coming home (to take charge of) the Under-20 national team and the senior national team,"[/b] the AUF said in a short statement.[/p][p]The agreement with Forlan, who won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament at the 2010 World Cup, was finalised after weeks of negotiations.[/p][embed guid="0e222f3a-2225-466a-be9a-682dd6edd0e7" url="https://x.com/Uruguay/status/2085335104314831343" social-type="twitter" /][p]The 47-year-old will take over as interim coach but his contract keeps the door open for an extension, AUF sources recently told AFP.[/p][p][b]He will be in charge of the team for friendlies in September, October and March.[/b][/p][p]Two-time world champions Uruguay are reeling after failing to get out of their group for a second successive World Cup.[/p][p]Back-to-back draws with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/saudi-arabia/biSY8ox4/"]Saudi Arabia[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] put them in unexpected danger of crashing out, before their elimination was confirmed by a loss to eventual champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a].[/p][p]The 71-year-old Bielsa was widely criticised for his tactics and for the decision to coax Fernando Muslera out of international retirement, with the veteran goalkeeper then making a string of errors.[/p][p]Forlan has little coaching experience despite enjoying a stellar playing career.[/p][p][b]He made his coaching debut during the 2020 season with former club Penarol but left the post after just 11 matches due to poor results.[/b][/p][embed guid="8c6d4d36-ced8-40b9-ab35-f480d0d1ad81" url="https://x.com/Uruguay/status/2085350903918346277" social-type="twitter" /][p]Forlan's only other managerial stint came in 2021, when he spent 12 games in charge of Atenas in the Uruguayan second division.[/p][p][b]He is highly regarded, though, in Uruguay after scoring 36 international goals, including five during their run to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, in 112 appearances.[/b][/p][p]Forlan, alongside strike partner Luis Suarez, was also a key member of Uruguay's 2011 Copa America-winning side.[/p][p]He enjoyed prolific spells at both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid in Spain, winning the European Golden Shoe award with both clubs.[/p][p]Forlan endured a difficult stint at Manchester United between 2001 and 2004, despite winning the Premier League in 2002/03.[/p]