Football: Forlan expects short tenure as Uruguay boss
Montevideo, Aug 11
Former striker Diego Forlan has said that his spell as Uruguay's interim manager was unlikely to turn into a permanent role. The 47-year-old succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who departed after the team's failure to reach the knockout stage of this year's FIFA World Cup.
"This interim situation has come about. For me it's a real privilege to be there, alongside the best players we have in Uruguayan football," Forlan told reporters. "Being at the helm, leading the players and being able to contribute the experience one has is an enormous privilege."
The Uruguayan Football Association is scheduled to hold its presidential election early next year, and the former striker does not envisage remaining in the role after the vote, reports Xinhua. "Thinking beyond March is difficult," said Forlan, who is also in charge of Uruguay's under-20 national team.
He outlined plans to promote youth during his tenure, which is due to begin with a friendly against Japan on September 24.
"The good thing is that there's healthy competition, and those young players who have a lot of talent and potential will have to make a greater effort, and that raises the overall level of the national team," he added.
Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 games for Uruguay over a career that included spells at Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan, among other clubs. He won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup after scoring five goals to help Uruguay reach the semifinals.
Forlan's coaching experience includes spells in charge of Uruguayan clubs Penarol and Atenas.
Forlan opened talks with the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) about taking charge of the national team on an interim basis soon after the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026,
The move came after Marcelo Bielsa left the role in the wake of Uruguay's group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup in June, Uruguayan newspaper El País reported.
Under the proposal, Forlan would oversee six friendlies scheduled for September, October and November while also taking charge of the under-20 side.
A permanent manager will be appointed at the end of the year or early next year, AUF president Ignacio Alonso said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting how a World Cup semifinalist and Golden Ball winner is now just an interim manager. Football is ruthless. But promoting youth is always a good move—those young players will learn so much from a man who scored 36 goals for his country. Respect to Forlan for taking this on. 👏
I feel like this is a no-win situation for Forlan. If he does well, they'll say "it was just friendlies." If he does poorly, his reputation takes a hit. That said, his humility is refreshing—admitting he won't stay beyond March shows he's not in it for the ego. Best of luck to him!
As someone who watched Forlan's 2010 World Cup performance, this man has football in his blood. But let's be honest—Uruguay's problem under Bielsa wasn't talent, it was tactics and adaptation. Forlan needs to prove he can handle the tactical side, not just inspire the players. A big test awaits against Japan.
The man is literally juggling two jobs—interim senior coach and U-20 coach. That's a heavy workload! I admire his dedication, but I wonder if the AUF is setting him up to fail. They should have given him full backing or a proper contract. Anyway, all the best, Forlan! 🙏
Forlan's right to say "thinking beyond March is difficult." In football, interim coaches are rarely given the keys to the kingdom. But his focus on youth development could be the silver lining
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