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Real Madrid approach Antonio Conte: Florentino Perez makes decision on Julen Lopetegui
REAL MADRID have reportedly made an approach for former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Real Madrid: 'Worrying time' for Lopetegui says Burley
Real Madrid are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions following a nervy start to the season.
A shock 1-0 defeat to Alaves prior to the international break left them fourth in La Liga with eight games of the campaign played.
At a club of Madrid’s calibre that already means Julen Lopetegui is under pressure from club president Florentino Perez to deliver results.
And according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport Perez is now making plans incase he has to give Lopetegui the boot.
They claim Perez called Antonio Conte on Monday to discover if he would be interested in taking charge if needed.
Conte has been out of work since leaving Chelsea at the end of last season following a dismal defence of their Premier League title.
And the Italian boss is reportedly keen to get back into football after some time off, telling Perez he is available and interested in the job if it becomes available.
Corriere dello Sport claim Perez has decided to give Lopetegui three games to save his job.
Madrid’s next game sees them welcome Levante to the Bernabeu on Saturday (12pm) as they look to make ground on leaders Sevilla.
Lopetegui will then turn his attention to the Champions League when they host Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night (8pm).
The European champions suffered a shock defeat to CSKA Moscow last time out and will be keen to get back to winning ways against the Czech side.
Should the former Spain boss come through those two matches he may face the prospect of having to beat Barcelona in his first El CLasico five days later.
If things don’t turn out well for Lopetegui and Conte takes over, the Italian’s priority target would be Eden Hazard.
Hazard has been strongly linked with a switch to Los Blancos and has made no secret of his desire to one day play for his ‘dream’ club.
The Belgian, who won the Premier League and the FA Cup under Conte, is under contract with the west London outfit until 2020.