Marcelo Bielsa set to become Uruguay coach on deal through 2026 World Cup

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“The only thing missing is the signature,” Casales said of the 39-month deal.

The 67-year-old Bielsa is expected in Montevideo within days.

Bielsa’s first matches on the job are likely to be in June, when Uruguay is scheduled to play friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba. South American World Cup qualifying will begin in September.

“We are bringing in someone who we know will leave us a legacy that goes beyond the 90 minutes of a match,” Casales said.

Uruguay was knocked out in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar.

Bielsa coached Argentina from 1998 to 2004. He saw his team eliminated at the group stage of the 2002 World Cup and then won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He left the job for personal reasons.

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Bielsa also coached Chile between 2007 and 2011.

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The Argentinian also had spells at Español, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lille. He has been out of a job since February 2022 when he was fired by Leeds.

The negotiations with Bielsa took three months, Casales said.