Tabarez can’t resist Uruguay’s potential in 2022 but a combination of stars, youth never comes together

In the 20-20 years of hindsight, it would be better if Oscar Washington Tabarez stepped down as coach of the Uruguay after the last World Cup. Instead, he continued, and at the age of 74 His epic nearly 16-year reign came to an end at a time not of his own choosing, showing the upper hand after four consecutive losses, three of which were heavy, in the 2022 qualifiers.

If he had gone three years ago it would have been hard to say a bad word about him. He began his second stint in charge of the national team in 2006, taking the helm of a team that had missed three of the previous four World Cups and failed to qualify for the group stage in the other. The glory days of Uruguay, it was agreed, were and are indeed in the past. How can it be different from a population of less than 3 million? The first kings of the global game suffered from the perpetual status of ransomers.

And yet, in the next 3 World Cups, Uruguay always qualified, always reached the 2nd round, and 2 of them were listed as the best team from South America. Last time they eliminated Portugal, the defending European champions, in the quarterfinals.

Even so, Tabarez was left with what ifs.

In 2010, for example, if Luis Suarez didn’t get kicked out of the quarterfinals against Ghana? It is true that he committed the offense in the most blatant handball situation, but the free kick for Ghana that started the incident was a ridiculous prize in the dying seconds.

– A guide for viewers on ESPN+: La Liga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Daily ESPN FC live stream on ESPN+ (US only)
– No ESPN? Instant access

Then in 2014, what if Suarez didn’t get suspended for his weird decision to bite Giorgio Chiellini? After the failure of the previous opening day Costa Rica, Uruguay saved themselves with victory England and Italy – Their first World Cup win against a European opponent since 1970 – only to lose all momentum when they lost their star striker.

And if Edinson Cavani was injury free in 2018 and missed the quarterfinals against France? With such a small population, Uruguay inevitably depends on a small group of star players, and they will pay the price without one of the most important players on the big day.

Tabarez has made every effort to expand the talent pool. Perhaps the most impressive part of his long reign was the attention paid to the young ranks, identifying young players with the speed of thought, movement and technique to thrive in the global game, building build relationships with the national team and employ players under the age of 20. side like a carousel to the senior party.

And this is what captivated Tabarez to stay after Russia 2018. He reasoned that in Qatar, he would still be able to count on Suarez and Cavani, plus some of his former dependents. And his talented young people – especially those who like Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur – maybe the time is ripe. It’s too tempting to say no.

So why isn’t it working yet? In part, this has to do with the fixture list. The last four matches – lost with an overall score of 11-1 – took place Argentina, go Brazil, at home to Argentina (an unlucky loss) and the dreaded trip to extreme heights to make Bolivia.

This is an evil quartet. It should be remembered that before these matches, Uruguay had gone 6 games unbeaten. September’s three rounds brought in seven points – no one did better. And the first match in October, at home to Colombia, starting with one of the best half-hours anyone has played in the campaign. Uruguay could have easily led by three or four goals, but the ball refused to go in — and when it did, VAR sent it off the field. Colombia was stable and the match ended goalless. That night glimmers of promises had captivated Tabarez, but it was just a flash of lightning – and there haven’t been enough of them since Russia 2018.

Uruguay’s performance since the last World Cup is as follows: eight wins, eight draws, seven losses, 25 goals scored, 25 conceded. The first of those games was a 4-0 game Ecuador at the 2019 Copa America. The squad has largely gone downhill since then, first with a surprising lack of goals, and then with an alarming tendency to concede.

Tabarez was unlucky with injury, and perhaps showed too much loyalty to the keeper Fernando Muslera and central defender Diego Godin. But the balance of his side proved elusive. The old 4-4-2 with Suarez and Cavani doesn’t seem to work for midfield players, and efforts to adapt it have not always been successful. Tuesday’s loss to Argentina was particularly pathetic.

And now it will be someone else’s problem to deal with. Tabarez almost fell after the game in October. Former international striker Diego Aguirre was lined up. Currently leading Brazilian club Internacional, Aguirre was one of the first Uruguay Under-20 coaches of the Tabarez era, and as such will show a certain continuity.

But now there is more time to make choices, and consensus in Uruguayan football has always been difficult to achieve.

The clear sound has been sent to Marcelo Gallardo, who is nearing the end of his contract with River Plate in Argentina, where he could have a championship on Thursday. Gallardo began his coaching career with Uruguay’s Nacional, and could be of interest. Outside options include Alexander Medina, who is doing well in Argentina with Talleres, and Guillermo Almada, boss of Santos Laguna in Mexico.

But Aguirre is the leader, and with the last four rounds there are matches with Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru and Chile, that would be an offer he could hardly refuse. Only one point behind the 4th place, Uruguay is still capable of falling into the Qatar net – where Tabarez’s dream of the old generals shooting with young lions can still come true.