FORMER STRIKER DIEGO Forlán has been appointed head coach of the Uruguay national team following their disastrous World Cup campaign, the country’s football association (AUF) announced on Thursday.
Forlán will take over, reportedly on an interim basis, from Marcelo Bielsa who stepped down following Uruguay’s group-stage exit from the World Cup.
“Diego Forlán is coming home (to take charge of) the Under-20 national team and the senior national team,” the AUF said in a short statement.
The agreement with Forlán, who won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament at the 2010 World Cup, was finalised after weeks of negotiations.
The 47-year-old will take over as interim coach, but his contract keeps the door open for an extension, AUF sources recently told AFP.
He will be in charge of the team for friendlies in September, October and March.
Two-time world champions Uruguay are reeling after failing to get out of their group for a second successive World Cup.
Back-to-back draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde put them in unexpected danger of crashing out, before their elimination was confirmed by a loss to eventual champions Spain.
The 71-year-old Bielsa was widely criticised for his tactics and for the decision to coax Fernando Muslera out of international retirement, with the veteran goalkeeper then making a string of errors.
Forlán has little coaching experience despite enjoying a stellar playing career. He made his coaching debut during the 2020 season with former club Penarol but left the post after just 11 matches due to poor results.
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Forlán’s only other managerial stint came in 2021, when he spent 12 games in charge of Atenas in the Uruguayan second division.
He is highly regarded, though, in Uruguay after scoring 36 international goals, including five during their run to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, in 112 appearances.
Forlán, alongside strike partner Luis Suarez, was also a key member of Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America-winning side.
He enjoyed prolific spells at both Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in Spain, winning the European Golden Shoe award with both clubs.
Forlán endured a difficult stint at Manchester United between 2001 and 2004, despite winning the Premier League in 2002/03.
Yan Diomande in action for Ivory Coast in the World Cup. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Elsewhere Real Madrid on Thursday announced the signing of 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from Leipzig for what Spanish media reported was a club-record fee of €140 million including bonuses.
Los Blancos said in a statement that a deal had been reached with the Bundesliga side for Diomande, “who is tied to our club for the next seven seasons, until 30 June 2033″.
Madrid, who did not disclose the transfer fee, beat Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to the signing of Diomande, who played at the World Cup with his country.
PSG pulled out of the running because of concerns over the size of the transfer fee, while Liverpool reportedly had a bid rejected in June.
Diomande spent one season in the German top flight with Leipzig following a switch from Spanish side Leganés in 2025.
He was the Bundesliga young player of the season, netting 12 goals and laying on eight assists.
Diomande is Madrid’s sixth signing this summer, following Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi.
Madrid, who hired Portuguese veteran José Mourinho as coach for a second spell to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, are overhauling their squad after going two consecutive seasons without a major trophy.
Los Blancos have also been linked with a move for Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
Official Announcement: Vini Jr. renewed until 2032.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has ended summer speculation over his future by agreeing a new six-year contract with Real.
Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for Brazil international Vinicius, who had entered the final 12 months of his deal at the Bernabeu.
A tumultuous 2025-26 campaign where Real went trophyless and initial uncertainly after the arrival of Jose Mourinho in Madrid alerted the likes of Arsenal, but Vinicius has now committed his long-term future to the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr have agreed on the extension of our player’s contract, which links him to the club until June 30 2032,” a club statement read.
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Forlán named new Uruguay coach, Real Madrid sign Yan Diomande and extend Vini Junior contract
LAST UPDATE | 6 Aug
FORMER STRIKER DIEGO Forlán has been appointed head coach of the Uruguay national team following their disastrous World Cup campaign, the country’s football association (AUF) announced on Thursday.
Forlán will take over, reportedly on an interim basis, from Marcelo Bielsa who stepped down following Uruguay’s group-stage exit from the World Cup.
“Diego Forlán is coming home (to take charge of) the Under-20 national team and the senior national team,” the AUF said in a short statement.
The agreement with Forlán, who won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament at the 2010 World Cup, was finalised after weeks of negotiations.
The 47-year-old will take over as interim coach, but his contract keeps the door open for an extension, AUF sources recently told AFP.
He will be in charge of the team for friendlies in September, October and March.
Two-time world champions Uruguay are reeling after failing to get out of their group for a second successive World Cup.
Back-to-back draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde put them in unexpected danger of crashing out, before their elimination was confirmed by a loss to eventual champions Spain.
The 71-year-old Bielsa was widely criticised for his tactics and for the decision to coax Fernando Muslera out of international retirement, with the veteran goalkeeper then making a string of errors.
Forlán has little coaching experience despite enjoying a stellar playing career. He made his coaching debut during the 2020 season with former club Penarol but left the post after just 11 matches due to poor results.
Forlán’s only other managerial stint came in 2021, when he spent 12 games in charge of Atenas in the Uruguayan second division.
He is highly regarded, though, in Uruguay after scoring 36 international goals, including five during their run to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, in 112 appearances.
Forlán, alongside strike partner Luis Suarez, was also a key member of Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America-winning side.
He enjoyed prolific spells at both Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in Spain, winning the European Golden Shoe award with both clubs.
Forlán endured a difficult stint at Manchester United between 2001 and 2004, despite winning the Premier League in 2002/03.
Elsewhere Real Madrid on Thursday announced the signing of 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from Leipzig for what Spanish media reported was a club-record fee of €140 million including bonuses.
Los Blancos said in a statement that a deal had been reached with the Bundesliga side for Diomande, “who is tied to our club for the next seven seasons, until 30 June 2033″.
Madrid, who did not disclose the transfer fee, beat Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to the signing of Diomande, who played at the World Cup with his country.
PSG pulled out of the running because of concerns over the size of the transfer fee, while Liverpool reportedly had a bid rejected in June.
Diomande spent one season in the German top flight with Leipzig following a switch from Spanish side Leganés in 2025.
He was the Bundesliga young player of the season, netting 12 goals and laying on eight assists.
Diomande is Madrid’s sixth signing this summer, following Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi.
Madrid, who hired Portuguese veteran José Mourinho as coach for a second spell to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, are overhauling their squad after going two consecutive seasons without a major trophy.
Los Blancos have also been linked with a move for Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has ended summer speculation over his future by agreeing a new six-year contract with Real.
Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for Brazil international Vinicius, who had entered the final 12 months of his deal at the Bernabeu.
A tumultuous 2025-26 campaign where Real went trophyless and initial uncertainly after the arrival of Jose Mourinho in Madrid alerted the likes of Arsenal, but Vinicius has now committed his long-term future to the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr have agreed on the extension of our player’s contract, which links him to the club until June 30 2032,” a club statement read.
– © AFP 2026, with additional reporting by Press Association.
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