'Our mission concludes with the World Cup': Marcelo Bielsa announces exit from Uruguay

"Our mission concludes with the World Cup," Bielsa stated during an event hosted by the Uruguayan Football Association.

While he offered no further details, reports from local outlets indicate the Argentine coach will step down once his existing agreement concludes post the tournament running from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

"Participating in the World Cup represents a rare privilege for any sports professional," he remarked. "Uruguay has granted me the honour of experiencing such a prestigious event, for which I will always be thankful."

This marks Bielsa's third World Cup appearance, having previously led Argentina to an early exit in 2002 and Chile to a round of 16 defeat against Brazil in 2014.

After a notable period with Leeds United, Bielsa assumed leadership of Uruguay in 2023, succeeding Diego Alonso. Under his guidance, 'La Celeste' excelled in the CONMEBOL qualifiers and secured third place at the 2024 Copa America.

However, tensions emerged within the squad following public critiques from Luis Suarez, Uruguay's top scorer, alongside other internal disputes that questioned his leadership approach.

Recent performances have been mixed, featuring ties against England and Algeria in March, alongside a heavy 5-1 loss to the U.S. last November.