Diego Forlan
Former Manchester United and Uruguay star Diego Forlan has been sacked as the head coach of Penarol just after 11 games in charge.
Consequently, he has stated that the sport that brought him honour can be a cruel mistress.
There are many examples, and Forlan is the latest to join the list of successful players who have failed as coaches—Kevin Keegan’s second spell as Newcastle manager, Diego Maradona’s time as Argentina boss.
Forlan, 41, won plenty as a player—including the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester United (though let’s not dwell on his tally of only 17 goals across two and a half seasons at Old Trafford).
Late in his playing career, he joined Penarol—in his hometown Montevideo—and helped them win the Uruguayan league in 2015-16.
But his spell as the club’s head coach has not gone well. Appointed in December, he has now left the role after Penarol won just four of his 11 matches in charge.
“Thank you for the opportunity you gave me,” he wrote on Twitter. “To the players, thank you very much for your patience, your respect, your dedication and your teachings.
“Finally, thanks to the fans for their love. I have no complaints, this is football.”
This is football indeed. And she can be a cruel mistress.”