'Our job ends with the World Cup': Marcelo Bielsa confirms departure from Uruguay

[p][b]"Our job ends with the World Cup,"[/b] Bielsa ‌said at an event organised by the Uruguayan ‌Football Association.[/p][p]Although he did not elaborate on his remarks, local media reported that the Argentine will not continue once his current contract expires at the end of the June 11-July 19 tournament to be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.[/p][p][b]“It is a miracle ‌in any professional’s sporting career to take part in ​the World Cup,” [/b]he said. [b]“I will be forever grateful to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uruguay/xMk44orG/"]Uruguay[/a] for allowing me ​to enjoy a competition like the World Cup.”[/b][/p][embed guid="873db4e2-4c8d-4091-91be-7cf2f357d166" url="https://x.com/sudanalytics_/status/2057585324713263212" social-type="twitter" /][p]Bielsa will coach at his third World Cup following [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]⁠Argentina[/a]’s group-stage elimination ​in 2002 and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chile/KUCG35cM/"]Chile[/a]’s round-of-16 loss to hosts [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a] in 2014.[/p][p]Coming off a successful stint at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds United[/a], Bielsa took over Uruguay in 2023 following ‌Diego Alonso’s departure and enjoyed a strong start, guiding 'La Celeste' through the CONMEBOL qualifiers and to third place at the 2024 Copa America.[/p][p]Yet his relationship with the squad gradually began to erode after he was publicly criticised by Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/suarez-luis/dUShzrBp/"]Luis Suarez[/a], amid a series of internal conflicts that raised doubts over his management ‌of the team.[/p][p]Uruguay’s form has been inconsistent recently, ​with draws against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a] during the ‌March international window, as well as a 5-1 defeat to the U.S. in November.[/p][p]Uruguay will [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/saudi-arabia-biSY8ox4/uruguay-xMk44orG/?mid=Olnboqfd"]kick off their World Cup campaign on June 15[/a] against Group H rivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/saudi-arabia/biSY8ox4/"]Saudi Arabia[/a] ⁠before facing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] ⁠and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a].[/p]