Sampaoli appointed Chile's national soccer coach

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Jorge Sampaoli has been hired as Chile's national soccer coach. The Argentine replaces Claudio Borghi, who was fired last month with the country struggling during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Sampaoli left his job earlier Monday as coach of Chile club Universidad de Chile.

He takes over a national team that is midway through World Cup qualifying play. Argentina leads the group with 20 points, three ahead of Ecuador and four more than Colombia.

Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela have 12 each. The top four qualify for the World Cup and the fifth team faces a playoff for a further spot. Brazil qualifies automatically as host.

South American qualifying for the World Cup resumes in June.