26 May, 2017
Sevilla and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) have reached an agreement in principle to release manager Jorge Sampaoli from his contract so he can become head coach of Argentina.
Documents that must be signed by both parties next Thursday, June 1st.
Sevilla president Pepe Castro says he will insist that the only way he will let Sampaoli out of the previous year of his contract is the full payment of his buyout clause.
The 57-year-old can leave Sevilla this summer, however, provided his €1.5 million release clause is paid.
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Sevilla are widely expected to replace Sampaoli with another Argentine, Eduardo Berizzo, who had taken Celta Vigo to the Europa League semi-finals.
"All parties are satisfied by the agreement that has been reached".
Argentina were always likely to win out once the opportunity arose, though, with Sampaoli admitting earlier this month: "There is a clear desire from my country to have me as coach and I have had a dream of taking that chance since I was very young".
Sampaoli enjoyed a largely successful solo season in charge at the Sanchez Pizjuan as he led Sevilla to fourth in La Liga behind the might of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The Andalusian club are desperate to keep hold of their manager, despite a season that promised so much ultimately coming off the rails after the Champions League last 16 exit against Leicester.
Sampaoli is set to be the replacement for sacked Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza but his contract with Sevilla does not end until June 2018.
Instead they lose their coach and, far more importantly, sporting director Monchi, who has made this club what it is.
