Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán has been named interim head coach of Uruguay after Marcelo Bielsa stepped down following a disappointing 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay endured a difficult tournament, crashing out in the group stage after failing to secure a victory.

Bielsa's side recorded draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in their final group match.

The Uruguayan Football Association has confirmed that Forlan will take charge of the senior national team on an interim basis while also overseeing the country's Under-20 side.

Ignacio Alonso, president of the association, disclosed that discussions with the former forward were in their final stages, noting Forlán’s strong enthusiasm for the position.

"If an agreement is reached with Diego Forlan in the next few hours, he will be the coach of the Under-20 team for the upcoming friendly matches. He is enthusiastic, even though there are still a few details to finalise," he said.

Forlan's initial agreement is expected to run until March 2027, covering Uruguay's upcoming friendly fixtures and the 2027 South American Under-20 Championship.

The arrangement will also give him the opportunity to demonstrate his coaching ability before a final decision is made on the team's long-term manager.