Sevilla have written to the Argentine Football Association to complain of their alleged pursuit of Jorge Sampaoli.
Sampaoli has been touted as the AFA’s desired replacement for Edgardo Bauza, who on Monday was removed as national team Coach, while reports from Spain suggest Sampaoli was open to the possibility, and that AFA representatives were to travel to Spain to speak with him.
Sevilla President Jose Castro said on Tuesday, however, that Sampaoli had told him he was happy at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and the club had not in any event received any contact from the AFA regarding the trainer.
The club have now released a statement on their official website to confirm they have contacted the AFA over their alleged conduct regarding Sampaoli.
“In response to reports from local and international media concerning the possible interest of the AFA to hire Jorge Sampaoli as national team Coach, with a contract in force until June 30, 2018, and after the declarations of the [AFA President] Claudio Tapia, who revealed his intention to hold a meeting in Spain with the Sevilla Coach in the next few days, Sevilla have today sent a letter to the AFA in which it states that in the event such information is true, Sevilla would consider this a lack of respect, at the same time unacceptable, while any meeting or contact intended for the Coach to break his contract with the club, and therefore we will not hesitate to assert our rights.”
