Born in Medellín, Sarmiento played for Atlético Nacional and América de Cali during his professional career.
Sarmiento made 37 appearances for the senior Colombia national team from 1980 to 1985,[1] including participating in nine qualifying matches for the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups[2] and the 1983 Copa América.
He started as an assistant to Francisco Maturana at América de Cali and later joined the coaching staffs of Norberto Peluffo at the Colombia national under-23 football team, Hernán Darío Gómez and Francisco Maturana at the senior national team, and Víctor Luna at Independiente Medellín from 2002 to 2003.
Sarmiento also managed Santa Fe, Cúcuta Deportivo, Deportivo Pereira, Envigado, Águilas Doradas, Atlético Nacional (as interim manager), and Once Caldas.
[5] Sarmiento died of polycythemia, a red blood cell disorder, on 30 October 2024, at the age of 68.