Uruguayan Gerardo Pelusso, who steered Nacional to the league title in his home country last season, took charge of leading Chilean side Universidad de Chile on Friday.

"The U", who were crowned champions of the Apertura in the first half of this year, failed to qualify this month for the last eight of the Clausura under Argentine Jose Basualdo.

Pelusso, who has signed for one year, was recommended for the job by compatriot Sergio Markarian, who won the Apertura title with side before being replaced by the recently departed Basualdo.

The club qualified for the 2010 Libertadores Cup as Apertura winners.