MONTEVIDEO, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Uruguayan capital Montevideo has accepted a proposal to erect a sculpture of the former Uruguay national soccer team coach, Oscar Tabarez.
Tabarez, known among soccer aficionados as "The Teacher," has managed Uruguay for 12 years.
The sculpture proposal was launched by sociologist Eric Alvez on the "Montevideo Decides" digital platform, a forum for citizen to discuss city matters.
The proposal received the minimum 500 supporters required to proceed and will be implemented this year, said the city council on Wednesday.
Montevideo Mayor Daniel Martinez wrote on Twitter that the sculpture seeks to "pay homage to 'The Teacher' Tabarez, his career and work."
The sculpture will be life-sized, he added.
In Wednesday's digital edition of the Spanish daily "El Pais," Alvez said that although Tabarez will be forever connected to the national team, the statue is "something that transcends sport."
Tabarez "transmitted certain values" of Uruguayan society that "many different people identified with," Alvez added.
According to Alvez, the city council said Tabarez is "very happy and grateful" for the sculpture, to be installed in Montevideo's principal avenue, 18 de Julio.
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) postponed Tabarez's contract renewal after FIFA was forced to take intervene in the running of AUF to ensure fair elections could be held for its presidential position.
Tabarez led "La Celeste" to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup, the quarterfinals of 2018 World Cup, and won the Copa America in 2011.
