Marcelo Bielsa, former manager of Leeds United, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Uruguay national team. The 67-year-old Argentine had been without a job since being sacked by Leeds in February 2022, and had recently held talks with both Bournemouth and Everton for their then-vacant managerial positions. Uruguay, two-time champions, failed to progress out of their group at the World Cup in Qatar.
Bielsa joined Leeds in 2018 and is still highly regarded by the club’s fans for leading their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. Prior to his move to the Premier League, Bielsa had managed in France, Italy, Spain and Argentina, and had also taken charge of Chile for four years between 2007 and 2011. Marcelo Broli had served as interim head coach since February, while Diego Alonso, who was appointed Uruguay boss in 2021, resigned following the World Cup. Uruguay are currently 16th in Fifa’s world rankings.