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Pochettino is a potential managerial candidate for strugglers Athletic Bilbao

  /  autty

Mauricio Pochettino could make a return to the dugout with Athletic Bilbao reportedly interested in hiring the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.

The Spanish side are struggling in La Liga this season with just nine points from eight matches - and are teetering in 14th after a string of inconsistent performances.

It's put the pressure on current manager Gaizko Garitano, and according to Football Espana, the likes of Pochettino, former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde and Valencia boss Marcelino Garcia Toral are in the running to replace him.

Pochettino is a known admirer of Athletic Bilbao, with Marca citing him as saying that the club 'generates enormous respect for everything that they represent'.

Pochettino's salary demands and interest from other clubs could make the appointment a difficult one.

The Argentine is a target for Manchester United, and was reportedly approached by the club to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But Sportsmail understands United risk missing out on him as the Argentine has had a conversation with at least one high-profile club in recent weeks with a view to a potential return to work.

Pochettino has been out of a job since November last year, when he was sacked by Tottenham for a poor run of form, despite reaching the Champions League final the season before.