FORMER Man United striker Diego Forlan has been appointed as manager of second-division Uruguayan side Atenas.
The 41-year-old confirmed the news on his Twitter feed, saying: “Happy to join this project. There’s a lot to do. Let’s go.”
The Red Devils were among the first to congratulate Forlan, who is stepping into his second managerial post since retiring in August 2019.
The Premier League club retweeted Atenas’ confirmation of the dad-of-three’s appointment on its Spanish-language Twitter feed and said: “Exito crack” – which in English translates roughly as ‘Success, great player.’
Forlan will make his debut as Atenas manager in around two months time with the restart of Uruguay’s second division.
The former Uruguayan international, who scored 36 times in his 112 appearances for his country, had hinted at a return to management hours before an official announcement was made.
He posted a photo of him watching a game being played from the sidelines with an arrow pointing to the word ‘Soon’ and a ‘Watch this space’ emoticon.
His return to management comes less than a year after his sacking from former club Penarol where he won four of his 11 games in charge.
Club Atletico Atenas play in San Carlos, a city in the Maldonado Department of southern Uruguay.
They are the most successful team from outside the capital Montevideo.
Forlan signed for Manchester United in January 2002 and played his last match for the club in August 2004 against Chelsea.
CHELTENHAM FREE BETS: BEST SIGN UP OFFERS FOR DAY THREE
He is still fondly remembered by Man United fans for the two goals he scored in three minutes in the club’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in December 2002.
Supporters immortalised him with the song, ‘Diego Forlan, he came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry.’
Forlan went on to play for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. His last side was Hong Kong club Kitchee.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
