Overview
- The Uruguayan Football Association officially presented Diego Forlán as the senior national team coach on Thursday, replacing Marcelo Bielsa after Uruguay's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.
- Forlán will also lead the U20s in a single appointment designed by the federation to speed the transition of young players into the senior squad.
- As a player Forlán scored 36 goals in 112 caps and won the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball, but his top-level coaching experience is limited to short spells at Peñarol in 2020 and a brief second-division role in 2021.
- His first on-field evaluations will come in late-September friendlies against Japan and South Korea that the federation has scheduled to see how his methods translate to the team.
- The move taps Forlán's huge domestic standing to rebuild confidence after a disappointing tournament while concentrating responsibility in one coach as Uruguay eyes long-term targets such as Copa América 2028 and the 2030 World Cup plans.