Uruguay have released coach Tabarez as one of the poorest qualifiers for the World Cup

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was released on Friday due to his team’s poor run in the World Cup standings.

The Uruguayans are in seventh place in the 10-team South American qualifying set. They have four games left to go to next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The 74-year-old Tabarez coached Uruguay for 15 years in his second stint, including his last three World Cups. He moved Uruguay to fourth place in the 2010 South African Championships. He also won the 2011 American Cup.

Tabarez also coached Uruguay from 1988-90.

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The Uruguayan football federation said in a statement that the dismissal of Tabárez and his staff “is a difficult decision because of the current situation, our commitment to the future and the results we all want”.

“We express our respect and appreciation for (his) professionalism and dedication for such a long process,” the release added.

Tabarez said he would not “throw in the towel” after losing 3-0 to Bolivia on Tuesday.

“I’m a professional, I signed the contract, and it says everything I need to do,” the veteran coach said at the time. “I don’t know who asked me to do that (resignation) after this time of work.”

The Uruguayan football federation has not announced a replacement for Tabarez.