Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has agreed to become Uruguay head coach on an interim basis.

Forlan succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who stepped down after Uruguay failed to qualify from the group stage at the World Cup.

The 47-year-old is set to be in charge for the national team’s friendlies this autumn before a permanent manager is appointed at the end of this year or the start of 2027.

Forlan has also been named coach for Uruguay’s Under-20 team, alongside the senior first team.

Ex-Leeds United boss Bielsa became Uruguay boss in May 2023 but they won 15 of his 39 games in charge and, after their disappointing early exit from the World Cup, the 70-year-old Argentine said his tenure “left nothing behind”.

Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 games for Uruguay, and won the Golden Ball as they reached the semi-finals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He announced his retirement from international football in March 2015.

He ended his playing career in 2018 after appearing for 10 clubs, with his most memorable spells at Spanish clubs Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.

His coaching career so far consists of brief stints with Uruguayan clubs Penarol and Atenas.