Uruguay Coach Oscar Tabarez was fired on Friday amid his team’s poor record in World Cup qualifying.
Uruguay is in seventh place in CONMEBOL’s group of 10 South American teams. They have four more matches to go to next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
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Tabarez, 74, has coached the Uruguay team for 15 years during his second stint on the job, including the last three World Cups. He led Uruguay to a 4th place finish at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. He also won the 2011 Copa America.
Tabarez also coached the Uruguay national team from 1988-90.
The Uruguayan Football Federation said in a statement that sacking Tabarez and his staff was “a difficult decision due to the current circumstances, in our commitment to the future and achieving the results that we all want.” desire.”
“We express our respect and recognition for (his) professionalism and dedication over such a long process,” the statement added.
Tabarez has said he is not “difficult” after Tuesday’s 0-3 loss at Bolivia.
“I’m a professional, I signed the contract and it said everything I needed to do,” the veteran coach said afterward. “I don’t know anyone who could ask me to do that (resign) after this time at work.”
The Uruguayan Football Federation has not announced a replacement for Tabarez.
