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Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has been appointed Uruguay’s new head coach.
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The 47-year-old will oversee both the senior national team and the Under-20 side.
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Forlan replaces Marcelo Bielsa after Uruguay’s disappointing 2026 World Cup group-stage exit.
August 08, (THEWILL) — Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has taken the next major step in his football career after being appointed head coach of the Uruguay national team.
The 47-year-old former Uruguay international has been handed the responsibility of leading the senior side while also taking charge of the country’s Under-20 team.
Forlan returns to the national setup with considerable experience of Uruguayan football, having represented La Celeste during an illustrious playing career that also included spells with Manchester United and Atlético Madrid.
His appointment follows the departure of Marcelo Bielsa, who stepped down after Uruguay failed to progress from the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Uruguayan Football Association confirmed Forlan’s appointment in an official statement, describing him as one of the most significant figures in the history of the national team.
“One of the most important figures in the history of La Celeste begins a new chapter: he [Forlan] will be the head coach of both the Under-20 and Senior National Teams,” the association said.
Forlan enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers of any Uruguayan footballer of his generation.
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He played for several major European clubs, including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan, while becoming a key figure for Uruguay at the international level.
He was particularly influential during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where he played a starring role as Uruguay reached the semi-finals. His performances earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
The new appointment represents a significant opportunity for Forlan to establish himself as one of Uruguay’s leading football figures not only on the pitch but also from the dugout.
His dual role with the senior and Under-20 teams could also allow the former striker to oversee the development of Uruguay’s next generation while rebuilding the senior side following its disappointing World Cup campaign.
Forlan will now face the challenge of restoring Uruguay’s competitiveness and preparing the team for its next international assignments as the country begins a new era following Bielsa’s departure.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
