Marcelo Bielsa signs with the Uruguayan National Team

Marcelo Bielsa has agreed to take charge of the Uruguay team. Uruguayan soccer federation manager Jorge Casales said the former Leeds United manager will sign a contract that will last until the 2026 World Cup.

Casales said that the 39-month contract remains to be signed and Bielsa, 67, is expected to arrive in Montevideo soon.

Bielsa’s first matches in his new position will likely be in June, as Uruguay plans to host friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba this month. The South American World Cup qualifiers will begin in September.

“We are bringing in someone who will leave a legacy beyond 90 minutes,” Casales said. Uruguay was eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar.

MARCELO BIELSA’S CAREER

Bielsa managed the Argentine national team from 1998 to 2004. His team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, but he left for personal reasons after winning a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Bielsa also managed the Chilean national team from 2007 to 2011.

The Argentine coach has also been in clubs like Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lille. Finally, he has not managed another team after his separation from Leeds United in February 2022.

Casales said that the negotiations with Bielsa took three months.