Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has previously admitted that it would be a "dream" to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid, amid speculation that the La Liga club are considering a managerial change.
The Spanish club fell to a shock 2-0 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening, meaning their hopes of progressing to the last-16 of the competition now hang in the balance ahead of their final group game against Borussia Monchengladbach next week.
According to reports in Spain, Florentino Perez, Madrid's president, is mulling over the prospect of making a managerial change, with Tuesday's defeat to Donetsk marking a third defeat in their last five outings in all competitions.
It is reported by El Mundo, that Perez is considering pulling the trigger on Zinedine Zidane's second spell in charge of the 13-time European Cup winners, with Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs over a year ago, and club legend Raul among the early candidates.
Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports back in early-November, confirmed that he was ready to make a return to the dugout after a year out of the game, as speculation linked him with succeeding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.
On the prospect of returning to management, Pochettino said: “I always feel ready to be again involved in the game. Football is my passion, it’s not stress when you are working, it’s not a stress to go into the training ground, it’s not a stress to prepare for the game, it’s not a stress to compete.
"I am looking forward to being involved in the game. I love the game, it’s difficult, we are inside, we are working, but it’s not the same as being involved every single day, the time you spent with your players and your staff.
"You miss that, that’s the reality.”
With Pochettino proving very open about his desire to roll up his sleeves again and take on a fresh challenge, the opportunity to take over at the Bernabeu, should it be offered to him, would be an opening that he would certainly like to take on.
Back in September, the Argentine, who has managed in Spain before, spending three years at Espanyol, confirmed that he would jump at the chance to take over in the Spanish capital.
"I don't know if I will ever be coach of Real Madrid because football takes you where it wants to but for sure, it's my dream," Pochettino told Cadena Cope radio.
"If it's not the best, it's among the best clubs in the world.
"It has a great history and I think I'm no different from other football professionals.
"Any coach would have on their dream list to guide Real Madrid."
As well as being in great danger of failing to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, Madrid are also well off the pace in La Liga.
As things stand, Madrid are fourth in the table, but are already seven points behind league leaders Real Sociedad after just 10 matches.
