Marcelo Bielsa has taken the blame for Uruguay‘s World Cup exit, admitting he has left no legacy in the country’s footballing history.
A 1-0 loss to Spain in Guadalajara ensured Uruguay finished third in Group H, with the tournament’s surprise package, Cape Verde, continuing their fairytale debut campaign by reaching the knockout stages.
Uruguay’s two points were not enough to scrape through as one of the eight best third-placed teams, and they crash out in the group stage for a second successive World Cup campaign.
Bielsa’s frustration was there for all to see at full time when, prior to a post-match interview that lasted just 30 seconds, he angrily shouted “get on with it”.
Later, the 70-year-old, who had admitted to being a “toxic perfectionist” before the tournament, offered no excuses for his team’s underwhelming showing.
He said: “I am responsible for this disappointment.
“Obviously, I don’t need to define this performance… if you ask me how my time [with the national team] will be remembered, it is a tenure that left nothing behind.
“I leave nothing to Uruguayan football, because any contribution I might make to a country where I have worked for three years fails to take root if results aren’t achieved.”
A winless campaign
The South Americans had been expected to progress without much hassle from Group H, with only European champions Spain thought to present a significant challenge.
However, the semi-finalists from 2010 got off to a shaky start, having to come from behind to rescue a point against Saudi Arabia in Miami.
In their next game, Bielsa’s men were held to a 2-2 stalemate by Cape Verde, meaning defeat in their final match against Spain would result in a humiliating elimination.
As it was, Alex Baena’s first-half strike proved the difference, with Spain running out 1-0 winners to send Uruguay home.
Bielsa and co.’s misery was completed late on, when Augustin Canobbio launched into a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi and was immediately shown a straight red card.
Cannobio then confronted referee Ismail Elfath, grabbing at the official’s shirt in ugly scenes at the end of the contest.