Pellegrini says he won’t take open Chile job

Jorge Sampaoli has become the 2/1 favourite to be the next permanent Chelsea manager after leaving his post with the Chile national team.

While that led to a nomination for the FIFA Coach of the Year award, tension between the two parties has ultimately led to the split as Sampaoli insisted that he no longer felt respected particularly after details of his contract were leaked to the media.

Sampaoli’s resignation comes just six months after he won the 2015 Copa America with Chile.

His original contract stipulated he would need to pay a $6 million penalty if he broke the contract.

The 55-year-old will pay the federation through the next contract he receives and also forfeits any bonuses from winning the Copa America.

In a statement Salah said: “Now we will dedicate ourselves to our priority, to do everything possible to qualify for the World Cup in Russian Federation in 2018”.

Earlier in January, Spanish outlet Don Balon linked Sampaoli with a summer move to Chelsea, where he would reportedly take over from interim manager Guus Hiddink-but only if the club signed Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez (h/t the Daily Telegraph).

“I hope to remain with competitive teams in Europe, I am not thinking about returning to Chile at least for the next three or four years”, Pellegrini said in comments attributed to Radio Cooperativa. Arturo has my full support for all that is needed.