After playing youth football at Unión de Santa Fe, Platense and San Lorenzo, he retired at the age of 21 and studied to become a sports journalist.

In March 2010, he left to become an assistant of Roberto Trotta (one of the founders of Santa Fe FC) at Independiente Rivadavia.

[2] In January 2012, after a brief period back at Unión as a manager of the club's sixth division, Pumpido joined his father's staff at Godoy Cruz.

[9] On 10 June 2021, Pumpido moved abroad for the first time in his career, after being appointed manager of Paraguayan Primera División side Sol de América.

[13] He took over Guaraní in the same country the following 9 June, replacing Rodrigo López,[14] but was sacked on 13 August 2023;[15] thirteen days later, he was appointed at Nacional Asunción of the same division.