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Former Albiceleste coach Jorge Sampaoli leaves Brazil's Santos

Brazilian side says in a statement that Sampaoli resigned had on Tuesday. But the former national team coach tells media it wasn't his decision to step down.

Jorge Sampaoli, coach of Brazil's Santos, yells instructions to his players during a Copa Sudamericana soccer match against Uruguay's River Plate in São Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Foto: (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
11 December 2019

Former Albiceleste coach Jorge Sampaoli has left Brazilian club Santos.

Santos said in a statement that Sampaoli resigned on Tuesday. The 59-year-old was under contract until the end of 2020, but according to the Brazilian press, decided to leave because of his poor relations with the club's president and the shortage of money to strengthen his squad. 

"Once the coach communicated the resignation, the case was forwarded to the club's legal and human resources departments," wrote the São Paulo State Club in a statement. 

owever, the Argentine coach himself told newspaper Lance on Wednesday that it wasn't his decision to step down.

Sampaoli oversaw a disappointing World Cup campaign with Argentina in 2018 after achieving success managing the Chilean national side. But he became a fan favourite in Brazil after leading a highly attacking and aggressive Santos side to second place in the Brazilian championship that ended on Sunday. Flamengo was crowned champion, 16 points ahead of Santos. 

Palmeiras, one of the big spenders of Brazilian soccer, and Argentina's Racing Club are reportedly interested in signing Sampaoli.

– TIMES/AP/AFP

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