Montevideo, July 1: Marcelo Bielsa has announced his resignation as head coach of the Uruguay national football team following their elimination from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The two-time World Cup champions finished third in Group H. Uruguay drew matches against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia but suffered a defeat to Spain, resulting in their early exit from the tournament.
In a press conference, the 70-year-old Argentine coach expressed his deep sorrow over the situation. “This farewell is extremely painful for me, as I had high hopes when I took on this project. The way it ended, especially considering the efforts of so many, particularly the players, makes it even more tragic,” Bielsa stated.
He took full responsibility for the team’s performance, saying, “I have no excuses for our position. Given the quality of the players available to me, I failed to utilize their resources effectively.”
Since becoming the head coach in May 2023, Bielsa led the team to 16 wins, 12 draws, and 8 losses. He dismissed rumors suggesting a rift between him and the players.
“The players showed remarkable dedication. Whether I exit this phase with a good or bad image depends entirely on my relationship with them. They did nothing that would prevent me from leading them or utilizing every resource at my disposal to achieve success,” he explained.
Bielsa particularly praised goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who requested to be substituted at halftime during the final group match against Spain after making a mistake that led to a goal. “This reflects Muslera’s character. In my career, I have never seen a player request to be substituted due to the emotional impact of a mistake. He felt he wasn’t mentally prepared for the second half. I found this to be extraordinary generosity, which is rare in today’s football,” Bielsa noted.
He also defended his decision to substitute Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, emphasizing that coaches must make such decisions as part of their role. “I don’t believe I put him in an uncomfortable position,” he asserted.
Bielsa concluded by stating, “I have never had any dispute with Valverde. I don’t think I have given more leeway to any other player than I have to him, as he deserves it.”
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