Jorge Sampaoli is returning to Atlético Mineiro, according to La Nación. The 65-year-old Argentine coach has signed a contract worth $3.5 million per year after taxes, making him the second-highest paid manager in Brazil, just behind Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira. His return comes at a challenging time for the Belo Horizonte club, which recently fired Cuca after a loss to Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil and a disappointing domestic season that has left them near the relegation zone.
Sampaoli previously led Atlético Mineiro from March 2020 to February 2021, winning the Minas Gerais state championship and finishing third in the Brasileirão, ensuring a spot in the Copa Libertadores. During his first tenure, he managed 44 games, averaging 1.91 points per match, which is his second-best performance after his successful period with Universidad de Chile. He left in early 2021 to become the head coach of Olympique de Marseille, expressing gratitude to fans, players, and staff in a farewell letter, while noting the impact of the pandemic on empty stadiums.
This time, Sampaoli takes over a squad filled with talent, including Hulk, Gustavo Scarpa, Dudú, Reinier, Alan Franco, and Fausto Vera. However, the club is still dealing with financial issues and unpaid salaries. Atlético Mineiro now operates as a football joint-stock company and remains in the Copa Sudamericana, where they will meet Bolivia’s Bolívar in the quarterfinals after defeating Godoy Cruz.
Sampaoli has also coached Santos, Flamengo, and most recently Rennes, further cementing his ties with Brazilian football. His return shows the club’s ambition to regain its competitive status after finishing as Copa Libertadores runners-up in 2024, with Sampaoli expected to lead Atlético Mineiro in their quest for titles both domestically and internationally.
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