After 2026 World Cup Disaster, Uruguay Identifies Bielsa's Successor

Marcelo Gallardo has emerged as the leading candidate to take over as Uruguay's national team coach, following the imminent departure of Marcelo Bielsa. The Uruguayan squad's early elimination from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has confirmed what was already speculated: Bielsa's tenure is not set to continue.

Given this scenario, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) has already identified its preferred successor, and the chosen name is Marcelo Daniel Gallardo. Known as El Muñeco (The Doll), Gallardo is currently making his debut as a television commentator during the World Cup, just four months after a tumultuous exit from River Plate.

Interestingly, Gallardo is being touted as the successor to El Loco (The Madman) Bielsa, one of his mentors and the last national coach to call him up for the Argentine national team in 2003, even taking him to the 2002 World Cup. According to Argentine press reports, initial contact has already been made between the AUF and Gallardo's inner circle, with early impressions described as positive. At 50 years old, the Argentine coach could thus be on the verge of his first experience at the helm of a national team.

Gallardo's deep familiarity with Uruguayan football works in his favor. It was at Nacional where he ended his playing career and began his coaching journey. After leaving River as a player in 2010, he played his final season with the Montevideo club, where he won the Torneo Clausura and the Uruguayan Championship.

After hanging up his boots, he immediately took charge of Nacional and, in his sole year at the helm in 2012, he once again clinched the Uruguayan championship. He opted not to renew his contract to complete his coaching education in Europe, returning two years later to begin a highly successful spell at River Plate.

For now, only exploratory contacts have been made, but both parties acknowledge that there are good prospects for negotiations to progress. With Bielsa's departure yet to be officially confirmed, the process will unfold in stages, but Gallardo's future may indeed lie in leading the Uruguayan national team.