Jorge Sampaoli, the Argentine football coach, is again at the center of international football discussions following his recent dismissal from Atlético Mineiro due to poor results. This event marks another chapter in his intense and often controversial coaching career. Reports from South American and European football circles indicate that he has collected more than $20 million in termination fees over the past ten years, stemming from premature departures from clubs such as Sevilla FC, Stade Rennais, and Olympique de Marseille, as well as from the Argentine national team.

Sampaoli's career is marked by a significant contrast between his groundbreaking achievements and the criticism he has faced. His tenure at Club Sport Emelec in 2010 left a lasting impact, where he not only reached the league finals but also introduced an innovative and attacking style of play that had never been seen in Ecuador before. This success propelled him to greater heights with Universidad de Chile, where he secured numerous domestic titles and earned a reputation as a transformative coach.

However, as he has moved through various clubs and faced multiple dismissals, the perception of Sampaoli has shifted from that of a revolutionary coach to one who is frequently questioned in terms of his results and management style. His significant earnings from compensation packages illustrate the high stakes involved in professional coaching, particularly in South American football, where expectations often lead to abrupt changes in leadership following disappointing performances.