Jorge Sampaoli Resigns as Chile Manager: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Jorge Sampaoli has stepped down as manager of Chile, just six months after winning the 2015 Copa America on home soil. The manager and the Chilean football federation finally reached a financial settlement on Tuesday.

Chilean ANFP president Arturo Salah confirmed the decision and that focus will turn toward finding a successful replacement, per ESPN FC: "Now we will turn to our priority: to do everything possible to qualify for the 2018 World Chile in Russia."

Initially it appeared Sampaoli would be forced to pay the €6.3 million remaining on his deal, but per ESPN FC, the fee has now dropped to somewhere between €600,000 to a little over €1m. He has also forfeited his bonus for winning the 2015 Copa America and will pay the eventual fee through his next contract.

The Argentinian moves on after just over three years with the national team, leaving last year's Copa America triumph as his greatest achievement. Per OptaJavier, his statistics with the Chilean national team were impressive:

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).

Sampaoli worked alongside Chile talisman Sanchez throughout his tenure with the national team, and a move to Europe would represent his first experience coaching a team based outside of South America.

Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror believes he could be very successful if he lands in the right situation:

The 55-year-old became just the second non-European to be nominated for FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2015, finishing third behind Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola—one year after compatriot Diego Simeone managed the same feat.

Sampaoli, a Santa Fe native, began his management career in 1994 and led 11 different clubs in Argentina, Chile and Peru before being appointed Chile boss in December 2012.