Diego Forlan Named Interim Coach of Uruguay National Team Until March 2027

Diego Forlan, the former legendary striker for Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, has been appointed as the interim head coach of the Uruguay senior national football team until March 2027. He replaces Marcelo Bielsa, who resigned following Uruguay's disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup. The Uruguayan Football Association will decide after March whether to continue with Forlan or seek a new coach, as elections are scheduled later this year and the association is reluctant to commit to a long-term plan at this stage.

In addition to leading the senior team, Forlan will also continue coaching the Uruguay under-20 national team, a position he was appointed to prior to taking over the senior side. He will manage all Uruguay matches during the FIFA international windows in September, October, and November 2026, which will likely include qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup, as well as any friendlies scheduled up to March 2027. The under-20 team, under his guidance, is set to compete in the South American Youth Championship in January 2027.

At 47 years old, Forlan has prior head coaching experience with senior teams, having managed 11 games for Peñarol in 2020 and 12 games for Atenas in Uruguay's second division in 2021. His appointment marks a significant step in his coaching career as he takes charge of the national teams during a transitional period for Uruguayan football.