Ex-Leeds boss Bielsa agrees to become Uruguay international boss after 14 months in managerial wilderness
MARCELO BIELSA is on the brink of becoming Uruguay manager, according to reports.
The Argentine has been out of work since leaving Leeds United 14 months ago.
Bielsa, 67, had been a contender to take over from Frank Lampard as Everton boss earlier this season, but failed to agree a deal with Goodison chiefs.
Now after talks with the Uruguayan FA, Bielsa is “90 per cent certain” to take over as their new boss.
Uruguayan FA vice-president Gaston Tealdi said: “We worked on the contract on Tuesday afternoon, and we have reached an agreement.
“Our lawyers are exchanging documents with Bielsa’s people in order to set the seal on the discussions.
“There are no major differences between the two parties. Once talks between the two sides have ended we must get things down on paper, and not leave any grey areas open to misunderstandings.
“We are in the final stages, and 90 per cent has been settled.
“Between now and Thursday we will send the contract to the coach’s advisors.
“Then we can talk, and if we receive a favourable response he will sign the deal and make it official.”
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Uruguay have been without a permanent boss since Diego Alonso’s departure last year.
Alonso resigned after Uruguay’s failure to get out of the group at the World Cup in Qatar.
Marcelo Broli has since been in interim charge.
But Uruguayan FA chiefs hope to have Bielsa in place by their next matches.
La Celeste take on Australia and New Zealand in June friendlies.
The role wouldn’t be Bielsa’s first foray into international management, with “El Loco” having been in charge of Chile and Argentina in the past.