REAL MADRID are facing a managerial crisis after being turned down by Antonio Conte AND Michael Laudrup.
Los Blancos have been looking for a new boss since sacking Julen Lopetegui after only 14 games in charge.
Former Chelsea and Juventus boss Conte was the red-hot favourite to take over immediately after Lopetegui’s sacking.
But Sky Sports say the Italian is no longer interested in the vacant position and that he plans to take an extended break from football.
Some senior players were said to be unhappy at the prospect of him coming in anyway.
Meanwhile, Laudrup’s agent claims he is not interested despite the fact he has been without a club since leaving Qatar-based Al-Rayyan at the end of their 2017-18 campaign.
The former Real midfielder – who played 76 games between 1994 and 1996 – was heavily linked with a return to the Spanish giants in the dugout.
However, Byram Tutunulu has ruled his client out of the running and says he feels the timing is wrong.
Spanish media outlet AS quote him as saying: “Laudrup is not looking for an opportunity to coach Madrid, rather a more ideal situation to undertake such a post.
“Bearing in mind how things have been going at Madrid, now’s not the right moment. He doesn’t want to return to the club regardless of the circumstances”.
Reports suggest Real have turned their attention to Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino.
Club president Florentino Perez is said to be willing to offer him a double-your-money five-year deal worth £17million per season.
Santiago Solari has been promoted from the Real Madrid B team to take temporary charge.
However, he is not seen as a long-term solution because he lacks the experience to take a job of such magnitude on a permanent basis.
He could be given until the end of the season, though, as Perez admits any deal for Pochettino mid-season will be difficult.
Santiago Solari has been promoted from the Real Madrid B team to take temporary charge.
However, he is not seen as a long-term solution because he lacks the experience to take a job of such magnitude on a permanent basis.
He could be given until the end of the season, though, as Perez admits any deal for Pochettino mid-season will be difficult.