Marcelo Bielsa has indicated that he may step down as Uruguay head coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The veteran Argentine manager made the remarks during a seminar organised by the Uruguayan Football Association on Thursday night local time.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to begin on 11 June and conclude on 19 July. Bielsa’s comments have prompted suggestions that his tenure with Uruguay could end once the tournament is completed.
Speaking at the seminar, the 70-year-old coach said: “Our work will end with the World Cup.”
According to Reuters, Bielsa did not provide further clarification regarding the statement. However, local media reports in Uruguay have suggested that he is expected to leave the role once his current contract expires after the tournament.
Bielsa, widely known by the nickname “El Loco”, is regarded as one of football’s most influential tactical thinkers despite not having won a major international trophy as a coach. His methods and football philosophy have had a significant influence on several leading managers, including Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone, leading to his reputation as a “coach of coaches”.
During the seminar, Bielsa also reflected on the significance of managing at the World Cup level. He said: “For any professional, taking part in a World Cup is something close to miraculous. I will always be grateful to Uruguay for giving me the opportunity to enjoy a competition such as the World Cup.”
The upcoming tournament will be Bielsa’s third World Cup as a national team coach. He previously led Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the group stage. In 2014, he guided Chile to the last 16.
Bielsa took charge of Uruguay in 2023 and oversaw a strong start to his tenure. Under his leadership, Uruguay progressed steadily through the South American World Cup qualifying campaign and finished third at the 2024 Copa América. Uruguay also secured fourth place in the qualification standings for the 2026 World Cup.
His overall record with the national team currently stands at 35 matches, with 15 victories, 13 draws and seven defeats.
| Uruguay Under Bielsa | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Matches Managed | 35 |
| Wins | 15 |
| Draws | 13 |
| Defeats | 7 |
| Copa América 2024 | Third Place |
| 2026 World Cup Qualifying Position | Fourth |
Despite the encouraging results earlier in his tenure, Bielsa’s relationship with sections of the squad reportedly deteriorated following criticism from Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer Luis Suárez. Reports of internal disagreements subsequently raised questions regarding Bielsa’s authority within the dressing room.
Uruguay’s recent form has also lacked consistency. During the March international window, the team drew against England and Algeria. In November, the two-time world champions suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against the United States.
Uruguay are set to begin their World Cup campaign on 15 June against Saudi Arabia in Group H. Their remaining group-stage opponents are Cape Verde and Spain.