Diego Forlán, former Uruguay striker, is close to taking over as interim technical director of the national team, succeeding Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa who was fired after a disappointing group stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.

This move comes as Uruguay seeks to rebuild the team after an early failure in the World Cup.

Uruguayan Football Association President Ignacio Alonso confirmed in statements to Teledoce on Sunday that Forlán showed 'enthusiasm' to lead 'La Celeste', and expected an agreement 'in the coming hours'.

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Forlán (47) is expected to coach the senior team on an interim basis until March 2027, after which his continuation or appointment of a permanent coach will be decided. At the same time, Forlán will also oversee the under-20 team in preparation for the 2027 Copa América. Forlán is Uruguay's third all-time top scorer with 36 goals in 112 matches, and won the Best Player award at the 2010 World Cup after leading the team to the semi-finals. He also led the team to win the 2011 Copa América, their last major title. However, his coaching experience is limited, having coached Peñarol for 11 matches in 2020, then a second-division team for 12 matches the following year.

The challenges awaiting Forlán include the need to restore fan confidence and achieve positive results in the upcoming qualifiers. Combining the duties of coaching the senior team and the reserve team will be a real test of his managerial abilities. Despite his legacy as a player, his fragile coaching career makes this experience a pivotal point in his professional future.