06.07.2015 17:55 h

Sampaoli casts doubt on future with Chile

Jorge Sampaoli could be tempted by a new challenge after coaching Chile to a historic win over Argentina in the Copa America final, he indicated in a Spanish newspaper interview on Monday.

Though he has a deal with Chile until the 2018 World Cup finals, the Argentine told sports daily Marca that it could be too difficult to better their achievement in defeating his native country 4-1 on penalties after Saturday's final ended goalless.

"I have a contract but we have to look at the situation and see what happens," the 55-year-old Sampaoli was quoted as saying.

Sampaoli said he was studying with his coaching staff "whether this can be improved on, whether we can continue to be useful."

Sampaoli and his all-Argentine coaching team have transformed Chile since arriving in late 2012 as the country struggled in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

They qualified and eventually lost only on penalties to hosts Brazil in the last 16.

Winning the Copa America was Sampaoli's crowning triumph and there are now rumours that he would like to coach a European club.

"We have to look at all this calmly. There is an existing contract. Soon you will see everything," he added.

He added that it would not be easy to start at a European team now that most clubs have already begun their pre-season preparations.