Marcelo Bielsa returns to the CONMEBOL Copa América™ after 20 years

• The Argentine will coach Uruguay, which is in Group C alongside the United States, Panama, and Bolivia. 
• El Loco reached the quarterfinals in 1999 and the final in 2004. 

One of the great attractions of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ is the return of one of the most recognized coaches worldwide in this century: Marcelo Alberto Bielsa. 

Born in Rosario, Santa Fe (Argentina), El Loco has been coaching Uruguay since 2023 with good results in the Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

In the United States, he will once again be present at a CONMEBOL Copa América™ after 20 years: the 2004 edition, held in Peru, was the last one in which he participated, where he coached the Argentine national team to the tournament final. 

Previously, Bielsa had coached the same national team in the edition held in Paraguay in 1999. On that occasion, he reached the quarterfinals of the tournament. 

After coaching Argentina, Bielsa also coached Chile, although he did not participate in any CONMEBOL Copa América™: he took over in 2007, after the one in Venezuela, and left in 2011, before the one in Argentina. 

After a long stint at European clubs such as Athletic Club de Bilbao, Olympique de Marseille, Lille, and Leeds United, Bielsa returned to South American football to coach Uruguay. His first major tournament with La Celeste will be the CONMEBOL Copa América United States 2024™, where he will debut on June 23 against Panama at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. 

How will Bielsa and Uruguay fare in the 48th edition of the world’s oldest national team tournament? 

Uruguay’s Schedule: 

June 23 vs. Panama at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, Florida)
June 27 vs. Bolivia at Metlife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
July 1 vs. United States at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri) 

Tickets are still available to follow Uruguay in the CONMEBOL Copa América United States 2024™.