Diego Forlán eyed to coach Uruguay's youth and interim senior teams after World Cup failure

Uruguay's Football Association (AUF) is on the verge of appointing former star Diego Forlán to lead its national teams, including an interim role with the senior squad. This decision comes in the wake of the Celeste's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, a campaign managed by Marcelo Bielsa.

Ignacio Alonso, president of the AUF, expressed that Forlán is "enthusiastic" about the prospect. The agreement is expected to be finalized within days. If successful, the 47-year-old, who was the best player at the 2010 World Cup, will coach the senior team in friendly matches scheduled for September and October of this year, and again in March 2027.

Forlán would also take charge of the U-20 team for the upcoming South American Championship in January, a qualifier for the 2027 U-20 World Cup. A source within the federation indicated that while "some details are still missing, it is not closed," suggesting that Forlán's permanent appointment could depend on his performance with the youth team and in the friendlies.

Despite his illustrious playing career, Forlán's coaching experience is limited. He managed Peñarol for 11 games in 2020 and coached a second-division team in 2021. As a player, Forlán was a prolific scorer, ranking third in Uruguay's all-time list with 36 goals, and was a key figure in their 2010 World Cup semi-final run and 2011 Copa América victory.