Mauricio Pochettino snubs Athletic Bilbao offer as he holds out on return to Premier League after PSG ‘sacking’

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has snubbed Athletic Bilbao as he’d rather work in England, according to reports.

The Argentine is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the coming days, after reportedly agreeing to depart by mutual consent.

AFP

Mauricio Pochettino is looking for a new challenge[/caption]

Pochettino, 50, needn’t be out of the game long, with Bilbao keen to offer him an instant route back in.

According to Foot Mercato, however, the former Tottenham boss isn’t interested in the LaLiga side’s proposal.

They add that he has already turned them down.

Pochettino is believed to favour a return to the Premier League for his next job.

His family remains based in London, following his time at Spurs.

He could be swayed into another position away from England, but only for a “serious, long-term project”.

Bilbao could turn to former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, or ex-Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde instead.

Pochettino was heavily linked with a return to Tottenham last summer, although the North Londoners couldn’t agree a deal with PSG.

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He was also among the favourites to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, only for Erik ten Hag to get the job.

Pochettino helped PSG win Ligue 1 at a canter last season but joined a long line of Parc des Princes managers that have underwhelmed in the Champions League.

The French giants squandered a 2-0 aggregate round of 16 lead to eventual winners Real Madrid.

Pochettino remained in charge for the rest of the season, although has now reportedly agreed on a severance package to leave the club.