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Uruguay Manager Oscar Tabarez Is Our Hero Of The World Cup

Uruguay Manager Oscar Tabarez Is Our Hero Of The World Cup

After beating Russia it's three wins out of three for Tabarez and his side as they head into the second round to face Portugal.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might be stealing all the headlines at the World Cup but for us the hero of the tournament so far is Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez.

Uruguay's win over Russia on Monday took them top of Group A and into a Second Round tie against Portugal as they hope to go further than they managed four years ago in Brazil.

The South American's have been functional if unspectacular up to now but with the striking ability of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez coupled with a dogged defence and solid midfield they have a side capable of beating Portugal and Ronaldo.

However it's not Cavani, Suarez or defenders Diego Godin or José Giménez who are the heroes of their side, no for us it's manager Oscar Tabarez.

At 71 Tabarez is the oldest manager at the World Cup which itself deserves respect but the former Boca Juniors manager, who has been a manager since 1980, is also on a crutch because he suffers from Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

It is a rare disorder in which the nerve cells are attacked by the immune system and leads to weakness and numbness and in some cases can cause paralysis.

Tabarez gives instructions to Martin Caceres. Image: PA Images
Tabarez gives instructions to Martin Caceres. Image: PA Images

Tabarez was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre in 2016 and was expected to have to step down as manager at the time and had to use a zimmer frame and electric wheelchair at the time but decided to carry on.

He has improved in recent months but still uses his crutch to help himself get around whilst members of his staff often help him as well.

'The Teacher,' nicknamed so because he used to be a teacher, managed Penarol to the Copa Libertadores title in 1987, earning himself his first stint in charge of the national team.

He took Uruguay to the World Cup in 1990, having managed the under 20s previously, but left after the tournament.

Tabarez as manager of AC Milan in 1996, 16 years into his managerial career. Image: PA Images
Tabarez as manager of AC Milan in 1996, 16 years into his managerial career. Image: PA Images

In 2006, after several club jobs in Europe and in South America, he returned to the Uruguay national team and has been in charge since.

They reached the semi-final in 2010 where they lost 3-2 to Netherlands and Diego Forlan finished as the tournament's best player, winning the Golden Ball.

Four years later they finished second to Costa Rica in the group that included Italy and England and lost to James Rodriguez Puskas Award winning goal in Rio.

Tabarez discusses tactics. Image: PA Images
Tabarez discusses tactics. Image: PA Images

This time around they finished second to Brazil in qualifying, above Argentina and Colombia, and have now won their first three games of the tournament.

If the players need any inspiration in the next round they just need to look to the bench to see their manager. Here's to Oscar Tabarez!

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Topics: Football News, World Cup news, World Cup, Uruguay