Sampaoli plays waiting game amid Chelsea & Porto links

The signs were there that things were coming to a head. Upon arrival at his Zurich hotel on Sunday, Jorge Sampaoli spoke of the “total disinformation” being spread about his situation. Just 24 hours later, prior to attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony, he gave an extraordinarily frank interview to a Chilean radio station in which he stated his desire to leave his post with the national team.
 
“In this environment I would not want to work or live in the country,” he told Radio Agricultura. “I never imagined in such little time the image of an idol who gave a lot to Chilean football could be destroyed.”
 
Sampaoli’s distress can be linked to another event that took place in Zurich some eight months ago. The Fifa corruption scandal that unfolded in front of the world’s eyes back in May was essentially a scandal over media rights in the Americas. 

The then president of the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP), Sergio Jadue became involved in the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations and while Chile were away in Uruguay for a key qualifying match in November, he was escorted through Santiago airport and put on a plane to the United States, reportedly to act as a protected informant for the U.S. investigators.
 
Since then, rumours about Sampaoli’s future have intensified. The investigations into the Chilean federation’s financial dealings have seen the coach’s earnings scrutinised and details leaked to the press. “My honour and my personal dignity were affected by linking to me all acts of corruption that happened with the previous directors,” he claimed. “Five years ago I used to earn $3,000. Don't you think I have the right to try to save money by depositing my salary in countries that protect legitimate income?”

No concrete details are available as to what exactly Sampaoli has been accused of doing. It is therefore difficult to assess whether his claim that he is being “held hostage” by the Chilean federation is as over the top as it sounds  –  he wilfully accepted a four-year extension of his contract back in 2014 – or whether he is simply using the corruption investigation as leverage to get him out of a job he feels he has finished. That accusation may sound harsh, but Sampaoli may be recognising the fact that his star has never shone so brightly.