Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly in contention to be appointed as Uruguay’s new national team manager following their early exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
According to TyC Sports, the Argentine coach is one of the candidates being considered to replace Diego Alonso as manager of the South American powerhouses, with Bielsa yet to return to management since being dismissed by Leeds in February.
Despite being Argentine and a previous manager of his homeland’s national team, Uruguay’s historical rivals, Bielsa is no stranger to managing other countries on the continent, with El Loca famously taking Chile to the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
And Uruguay could be thinking that Bielsa could do something similar ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the 67-year-old coach likely to return to management after nearly a year off from the touchline since being sacked by Leeds.
Indeed, Bielsa has proven to be quite a good manager at international level when given the resources and time to implement his ideas and tactics. And for many Leeds fans, their club legend joining Uruguay will be a huge sigh of relief given recent rumours to Premier League clubs.
The Atheltic reported that Bielsa was in contention to join AFC Bournemouth, however, the Cherries ultimately opted against the decision, with Uruguay now the likely favourites to appoint the Elland Road icon in the coming weeks.
Uruguay appointing Bielsa would be a sensational decision
Bielsa’s next managerial job was always going to be the subject of major debate from the English media after the incredible work the South American did with Leeds. And Uruguay feels like a natural next role in the 67-year-old’s fantastic career.
After all, the humiliation of crashing out of the group stages could fuel Uruguay to rethink their strategy at an international level, and a manager who works as hard as Bielsa is the perfect man to lead the South American nation into an exciting new era.
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