Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Former Manchester United cult hero Diego Forlan has been appointed head coach of Uruguay’s U20s and will serve as interim manager of the senior team until Marcelo Bielsa’s successor is named.
In a social media post on Thursday, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) announced Diego Forlan’s appointment, with the message: “Diego Forlan comes home again.”
After a long and successful playing career at clubs such as Manchester United and Villarreal, Forlan steps into international management having previously coached Penarol and Atenas in Uruguay’s second division. His latest appointment potentially sets him up to one day become the permanent head coach of the Uruguay national team.
Forlan becomes the 12th former United player to test the waters in charge of a team on the international stage. His first challenge at the helm of the senior national team will come during the September-October International break.
Dwight Yorke on the touchline for Jamaica v Trinidad & Tobago
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
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Every Man Utd player to manage on the international stage
Several former United players have taken charge of national teams at the senior level, dating back to 1955.
Forlan, who United fans remember fondly for scoring a memorable brace against Liverpool, joins a growing list of ex-United players to step into international management.
Johnny Carey: After serving as United captain under Sir Matt Busby, Johnny Carey became the Republic of Ireland’s first recognised manager from November 1955 to February 1967. Guided Ireland to a remarkable 3-0 win over reigning World Cup champions West Germany in 1956.
Johnny Giles: Johnny Giles had a notable international career following his early days at United, where he won the 1963 FA Cup under Busby. He took charge of the Republic of Ireland national team as player-manager in 1973.
Gordon Strachan: Decades after spending five seasons at Old Trafford as a midfielder, Gordon Strachan took charge of the Scotland national team.
Mark Hughes: The iconic former United centre-forward made his management debut taking charge of his country, Wales, in August 1999. Wales pulled off one of their most iconic victories under Mark Hughes, beating Italy 2-1 in a European Championship qualifier.
Sammy McIlroy: The last signing made by Busby was Sammy McIlroy, who spent over a decade at the club, making over 400 appearances for the Reds. He also earned 88 caps for his country, Northern Ireland, and managed them for over three years between 2000 and 2003.
Bryan Robson: Perhaps the biggest surprise appointment came in September 2009 when Bryan Robson took charge of the Thailand national team. Captain Marvel spent 21 months as Thailand boss after replacing former Everton and England star Peter Reid in the role.
Laurent Blanc: A World Cup and European Championship winner as a player for France, Laurent Blanc later managed the national team. He lasted just two years following a disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign.
Ray Wilkins: Decades on from his playing days at United, Ray Wilkins took on an international head coaching assignment with Jordan. He named former United teammate Frank Stapleton as his assistant manager before lasting just five months in the job.
Ryan Giggs: The most decorated footballer in English football history stepped into international management with Wales in January 2018 before resigning in June 2022.
Jordi Cruyff: The son of Johan Cruyff took charge of Ecuador without ever managing a match, despite signing a three-year deal in January 2020.
Dwight Yorke: Having served as Trinidad and Tobago captain at the 2006 World Cup, Dwight Yorke returned to the national set-up in November 2024 to become head coach. He guided them through the second and third rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the CONCACAF zone.
Who will Diego Forlan’s Uruguay face first?
Unless Uruguay find a replacement for Marcelo Bielsa in the coming months, Forlan will make his touchline debut as national team head coach on September 28.
Uruguay will take on South Korea in an international friendly in South Korea. It will be their first match since 27 June, when they lost 1-0 against world champions Spain in their final group match at the tournament.
Forlan will be looking to make the most of the opportunity while he is in charge of the senior team before focusing on the U20s.
United and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte is unlikely to feature under Forlan due to his knee injury.