Jorge Sampaoli’s childhood dream is about to be realised.
After reaching an agreement with Sevilla to free the 57-year-old a year before the end of his contract, Argentina said in a statement it will unveil Sampaoli as its newest manager Thursday night.
The two-time World Cup winner scheduled an official presentation for 6 p.m. local time.
Hiring Sampaoli required patience from the Argentinian FA (AFA), who had to wait until the conclusion of the 2016-17 campaign in order to hire the Santa Fe native.
The president of the AFA, Claudio Tapia, said in April that Sampaoli had been “chosen” to coach La Albiceleste. Sevilla threatened to take legal action if Argentina intervened prior to the final kick of the ball, especially as the Andalusian side spiralled down in the La Liga standings and dropped out of the Champions League. Sevilla managed to stop the bleeding and finish in fourth place, but in March and April it won just once in eight matches.
Sevilla demanded Argentina pay Sampaoli’s €1.5-million release clause, although there’s yet to be an official confirmation that the fee has been paid.
All the while, Sampaoli left nothing to the imagination as to whether he wanted to quit Sevilla …read more