From his first press conference, Jorge Sampaoli made comments that resonated as far away as Argentina…
Presented to the press on Tuesday, Jorge Sampaoli made a statement which caused a lot of talk. “I really like Ligue 1, the way the teams play. I think the best players in the world come from France and Brazil,” he said, without mentioning… Argentina, his country of origin. The national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, was obviously invited to comment on the subject, but did not wish to argue. “I didn’t see what he said, but everyone has their own opinion.”
“He’s a coach we don’t like here”
The local media were sharper. “Sampaoli's controversial statement after his arrival in Rennes” (TyC Sports), “Sampaoli's tirade against Argentine football as he takes the reins of a Ligue 1 club in the grip of relegation” (Clarin), “Sampaoli forgot Argentina and exasperated the supporters from France” (El Destape), they wrote, as noted Foot Market. Our colleague also collected the testimony of Claudio Mauri, journalist at La Nacion.
“Sampaoli is a coach who causes a lot of rejection in Argentina. He is not liked because of his personality, but also because he represents the last chaotic episode of the selection during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His relationship with the team, the elimination against France… Here, he has a profile that does not please. He didn't make the selection play well while it was quite the opposite with Scaloni who calmed it all down. He is a coach that we don't like here also because he has no link with an important club in Argentina. He developed his coaching career abroad, whether in South America or Europe. Here he is not linked to any club, big or small. Nobody defends him,” he clarified. The message got through…
France
