Antonio Conte's brother provides update on Real Madrid's interest in former Chelsea boss
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Loading... - Ken Ma
- 26 Oct 2021
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The speculation linking Antonio Conte with Real Madrid just won't go away and now the Italian's brother has added legs to the story.
Coach Julen Lopetegui is under intense pressure and appears certain to be sacked should they lose to bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday.
El clasico is this weekend, with defeat likely to spell the end for the Spaniard with fans demanding change. A replacement is reported to already be lined up.
Conte appears the logistical next choice with the former Juventus coach the best qualified candidate currently out of work.
He could take over at the Bernabeu early next week should things go wrong this weekend. Conte is currently on holiday and that, it's reported, is what has prevented terms being agreed.
It was revealed earlier this week that is will cost Real £16 million to fire Lopetegui - with president Florentino Perez under pressure to fire the gun and take the huge financial hit.
His brother Daniele has provided an update on the current situation.
"Antonio is on holiday at the moment,” he told Cadena Ser.
“He hasn’t received any phone call from Real. We can definitely say it’s a great club, but for now there’s been no contact.”
The club’s director of institutional relations, former Real striker Emilio Butragueño, said there would be no change ahead of the weekend. “Yes, yes, [we’re approaching that game] with absolute normality," he said.
"In situations like this it is very important to stay calm, be united and trust in the players.”
Lopetegui appeared unmoved by the vote of confidence after the uninspiring Champions League win, a slender 2-1 victory against minnows Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night did little to ease the pressure.
“That’s far from important," he claimed. "What is important was winning the game today.
"The team had a great need for this triumph – their coach did too of course. We want to get out of these circumstances. You can’t change everything overnight but we hope this is a turning point.
“We need to gain a little tranquillity bit by bit: we have to keep going. On Sunday we have a game that motivates us a huge amount.”
