The Uruguay new boss has been announced recently to replace Oscar Tabarez and try to save their chance to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Diego Alonso, a former Uruguay international from the early 2000s, has been officially appointed by the Uruguay Football Association (AUF) to replace Tabarez, his veteran predecessor who was dismissed last November. Their dreadful 3-0 loss to Bolivia effectively ended his second stint, which resulted in Uruguay’s notable World Cup campaigns in 2010, 2014, and 2018, as well as one Copa America title in 2011.
The 46-year old manager has agreed to sign the contract and been tasked with a fairly intriguing short-term target, guiding La Celeste to seal one berth in World Cup 2022. Uruguay is currently sitting on seventh with only one point adrift from Colombia on the fourth. However, they only have four games left and are battling with Colombia but also Peru, Chile and Bolivia for one automatic slot plus one ticket via international playoff against the Asian team. Luis Suarez and Co have to win all remaining fixtures starting with facing off Paraguay on the road (January 27th), playing host to Venezuela (February 1st), followed by two crucial games, versus Peru (March 24th) and Chile three days later.
Uruguay New Boss Revealed to Rescue Fate In Qualifiers
The Less Favoured Candidate
Diego Alonso was initially not their number one candidate for Tabarez’s replacement. AUF’s primary target was actually Marcelo Gallardo. The River Plate manager had even been offered by the federation due to his impressive spell with two Copa Libertadores titles and the most recent one, his first domestic league title. Unfortunately, Gallardo opted for extending his contract with Los Millonarios recently instead.
The next considerable candidates in AUF’s list were the former Internacional, Sao Paulo and San Lorenzo boss, Diego Aguirre, the former Argentina international Hernan Crespo and the current Pachuca manager Gulliermo Almada. Among those three names, Crespo was tipped to be the next best one after Gallardo. Despite his recent failure in Sao Paulo, he managed to lead a mediocre team, Defensa y Justicia, to clinch their first ever continental title, Copa Sundamericana in 2021.
Nevertheless, Alonso was eventually appointed. If he could bring his nation to World Cup 2022, it will be a sort of redemption for him. The former Atletico Madrid man never had a chance to play in the World Cup and failed to make the cut in World Cup 2002 squad despite having a stellar season in Vicente Calderon. He also helped Uruguay reach the final in Copa America 1999.
Notable Managerial Career in Mexico
Diego Alonso’s career as a player has not been spectacular. Playing as a forward, his most memorable season was when he helped Atletico Madrid return to La Liga in 2001/02 and became the top scorer in Segunda Division. Sadly, his remarkable form in the second tier did not continue in the following season, even after switching sides to Racing Santander, Malaga and Murcia.
However, he appears to have more talent being on the touchline than on the pitch. Alonso had two successful stints with the Mexican sides, Pachuca and CF Monterrey. He guided the former win Liga MX in 2016 and both clubs clinch the CONCACAF Champion League titles in 2016 and 2018. Alonso also brought Pachuca to finish third in FIFA Club World Cup 2017. Yet, his move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami did not end well before being named as Uruguay new boss. Alonso’s contract is believed to be extended after leading La Celeste to Qatar 2022.
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[…] the qualifiers, including the only goal in the 1-0 win over James Rodriguez’s Colombia.Should Bolivia remain strong and at least carry on their positive form, they could make their return to the USA […]