Bielsa Resigns as Uruguay Head Coach

Marcelo Bielsa has officially stepped down as Uruguay head coach following the national team's disappointing group-stage elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Uruguay's campaign ended in frustration after finishing behind tournament debutants Cape Verde in Group H. La Celeste collected just two points from three matches, drawing against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before suffering a defeat to Spain.

Bielsa, who took charge of Uruguay in 2023, accepted full responsibility for the team's early exit.

"It was completely unexpected that our situation would turn out the way it did," Bielsa said during his farewell press conference.

"My responsibility is very clear. I cannot justify the position we ended up in. My management of the team's resources was insufficient. We gave everything, my coaching staff and the players, but it wasn't enough."

The veteran Argentine admitted the outcome was especially painful given the expectations surrounding the project.

"This ending hurts because of the high hopes I had when I accepted this role and because of the unfortunate way it came to an end," he added.

During Uruguay's decisive defeat to Spain, Bielsa drew criticism after substituting captain Federico Valverde while his side was trailing. However, the former Leeds United and Argentina coach dismissed suggestions of any disagreement with the Real Madrid midfielder.

"I have never had any problems with Valverde," Bielsa said. "I have not made concessions to any player more than I have to him because he deserves it."

Bielsa also rejected claims that his relationship with the squad contributed to Uruguay's disappointing World Cup campaign.

"We created five times more danger than Saudi Arabia, 50 percent more scoring opportunities than Cape Verde, and the same number of dangerous situations as Spain," he said.

"How can I accept that my relationship with the team was what prevented us from winning our first matches and caused us to lose the last one?"

Bielsa departs after three years in charge, leaving the Uruguayan Football Association searching for a new manager ahead of the next international cycle.