Diego Forlán has been appointed interim head coach of both Uruguay's senior men's national team and the Under-20 squad, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) announced Thursday. The 47-year-old former striker succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who departed after Uruguay's group-stage elimination at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Forlán will lead the senior side through international friendlies in September and October before a permanent manager is expected to be named by late 2026 or early 2027. He begins immediately with the U20 program, supported by assistants Santiago Espasandín and Diego Pérez. The AUF described the appointment as a return for "one of the most important figures in the history of 'La Celeste.'"
Forlán, who scored 36 goals in 112 caps and won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup, has limited coaching experience, having managed only Peñarol and second-division Atenas. Bielsa, who took charge in May 2023, won 15 of 39 matches and acknowledged his tenure "left nothing behind" following the World Cup disappointment, where Uruguay finished third in Group H with two points after draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde and a loss to Spain.