The end. Uruguay and Óscar Washington Tabárez separate their paths after fifteen years together. The Uruguayan team issued a communication announcing the goodbye of the best coach in its history. The poor results in the World Cup qualifiers and the wear of the coach have been a turning point to make this tough decision.
A part of Uruguay’s shield goes with Tabárez. The ‘Master’ touched the sky of the Monumental with his hands and was on the verge of living a unique and unrepeatable moment in Johannesburg. The country with less than 4 million inhabitants says goodbye to its coach and at the same time the legend is born.
Double passion
Tabárez left the soccer discipline at the age of 31 due to a knee injury and, from that moment, He started his other great passion: teaching. He divided his time into being a school teacher and at the same time preparing to be a coach. He managed to unite his two passions in a project to direct youth from Bella Vista. Years later, in 1984, his first opportunity came to the Danube, although he continued to be a school teacher.
Peñarol appeared in his life. In 1987 he had to choose between soccer and teaching. He opted for the ball. This one did not fail him. Months later raised his first Copa Libertadores and got a fourth place with the Uruguayan U-20 team in the South American Championship. After a brief period at Deportivo de Cali, he presented his first stage in command of La Celeste. The World Cup in Italy 90 would be his presentation in the elite of football. His participation stayed in the eighth and, later, he found a new position. Boca and Tabárez shared two moments together. Two years in the first stage (1991-93) and only a few months in the second cycle (2002). In between he directed Cagliari, Milan, Real Oviedo and Vélez.
Champion of America
The ‘Maestro’ Tabárez and the Uruguay National Team met again for the second time in 2006, beginning a 15-year cycle full of great joys. A period of fifteen years where he led La Celeste in 225 games, the last one played against Bolivia, with a record of 107 victories, 56 draws and 62 defeats. An effectiveness of 56.35%. Nor should we forget his participation in 4 consecutive World Cups where he achieved a fourth place in South Africa in 2010.
His first great trophy was won at the Monumental stadium on the night of July 24, 2011 by lifting the Copa América after beating Paraguay in the final. Although, his greatest success with Uruguay is the legacy he leaves behind a team that did not have an identity when he arrived. As Eduardo Galeano said, “I am left with that irremediable melancholy that we all feel after love and at the end of the game.”
