 In the following season, he again reached the finals, but suffered defeat to the very same club.For the 1996 season, Sampaoli was appointed at 9 Julio's rivals CA Belgrano de Arequito, and managed to win the year's league title with the side.In May of that year, he was hired by Primera B Metropolitana side Argentino de Rosario, and ended the season in the 13th position.