Ex-Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa set to become new Uruguay head coach

Marcelo Bielsa has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Uruguay’s national team. 

According to Mundo Deportivo, the 67-year-old will arrive in Montevideo over the weekend to sign the agreement. 

He will replace Diego Alonso who resigned from his position after a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign that saw them exit the tournament in the group stages. 

It is said that the Argentine will sign a contract through the 2026 World Cup. 

His first matches will likely be in June when the Sky Blue are due to play friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba before the South American World Cup qualifying in September. 

Bielsa has been out of a job since leaving Leeds United in February 2022. 

His time in West Yorkshire was highly successful as he led the Whites to Premier League promotion after a 16-year absence. 

The former Athletic Bilbao manager also secured a ninth-place finish the following season but a disappointing 2021-22 campaign saw him leaving Elland Road in February.  

However, he was so popular among the Leeds fans that they were still singing his name even after a streak of poor results. 

The 67-year-old was also linked with Everton after they sacked Frank Lampard in January. But he turned down the Toffees’s offer and Sean Dyche later became their manager. 

Bielsa previously managed Argentina from 1998 to 2004. He led La Albiceleste to a disappointing 2002 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated from the group stages. 

However, the Argentine left his position on a high, soon after winning the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. 

The 67-year-old also coached Chile between 2007 and 2011.