MONTEVIDEO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) on Friday announced that they have renewed the contract of the national team coach, Oscar Tabarez.

Tabarez, known as "The Teacher", has managed La Celeste for 12 years and will now take the helm for the country's World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign.

Friday's renewal was announced by the AUF's Regulatory Commission, which has controlled the association since FIFA stepped in to guarantee fair elections for the AUF's presidential position.

According to the announcement, Tabarez's performance "has been highly positive" since he took the position in 2006.

Tabarez led Uruguay to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup and reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, winning the 2011 Copa America.

The coach, who in 2012 received FIFA's highest honor, the FIFA Order of Merit, is Uruguay's longest-serving manager.

The news will be welcomed by the people of Montevideo, who this week voted to erect a sculpture of Tabarez on the city's major avenue.

Tabarez will now look ahead to Uruguay's friendly matches against South Korea on Oct. 12 and Japan, Oct. 16. Enditem