Contract publicity triggered Sampaoli exit, says Diaz

Publicity surrounding Jorge Sampaoli's contract with Chile's soccer federation led to the coach's departure, announced Marcelo Diaz, Chile's central midfielder, on Friday.

"Things became ugly. Sampaoli felt unwelcome and that came about by giving more details than perhaps we should have done to the people. In my opinion, they (the people) have no business knowing about contracts. They are private and should be kept under lock and key," Diaz told journalists.

The Argentinian coach officially resigned from Chile's national team earlier this week. The decision came after two months of uncertainty surrounding the coach's future at the team.

The coach recently expressed a desire to leave after his contract was made public and the president of the National Association of Professional Football of Chile (ANFP), Sergio Jadue, resigned due to his involvement in the FIFA corruption scandal.

"From the world of sport, there was nowhere to change to. But he had already said some time ago that he wanted to leave the national team so therefore it wasn't too much of a shock. He simply managed to reach the agreement that he wanted and that the ANFP didn't want but it is unfortunate the process was cut short," said Spain's Celta de Vigo central midfielder.

"Unfortunately he chose this path and what a shame. What a shame for the national team because the status that we obtained took a lot (of effort)," added Diaz.

The central midfielder expressed his concern for the upcoming World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifiers.

"It is very difficult. Argentina need points and we already know how we get on in Venezuela. Hopefully what comes is beneficial to us because we all need to be on the same page," concluded Diaz. Endit