Current Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli has revealed he quit his job as the head coach of Chile’s national team last summer amid Chelsea’s interest on brining in the 57-year-old.
He had a succesful spell with Chile’s national side which he joined in 2012, winning the Copa America glory three years after that.
His reputation began to rise and he started receiving offers from many clubs, only to dismiss them to resume as Chile’s main man.
Come Chelsea’s interest last year, Sampaoli apparently had no other choice than quit his job to prove his availability for the role, which – unfortunately for him – eventually fell for Antonio Conte.
“It was like a tsunami of events, a really turbulent period. The Chilean Federation wanted to keep me no matter what.
But I explained I could not stay as there was a chance of becoming Chelsea manager.
I had other options but when Mr [Roman] Abramovich came to talk I was high on his list and then came the decision to go with [Antonio] Conte.”
– Jorge Sampaoli, The Sun
Sampaoli was appointed as the manager of La Liga side Sevilla this summer and is enjoying a succesful first season with his side, currently one point away from third placed Atletico Madrid who are also fighting for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
