 Sampaoli started with an impressive managerial run at Coronel Bolognesi of Peru in 2004, and continued with brief but successful terms at O'Higgins of Chile and Emelec of Ecuador.Sampaoli earned praise as the head coach of Universidad de Chile, winning three league titles and the Copa Sudamericana championship.This success led him to coach the Chilean men's national team in 2012, replacing Claudio Borghi.