Antonio Conte to Manchester United: The Italian manager might be interested in taking over the Manchester United role, according to reports.
The pressure is mounting on Julen Lopetegui as Real Madrid slumped to a massive 5-1 defeat against Barcelona last night. The speculations on the Spanish manager’s job had already been on the rise before the game, and various Spanish outlets have now reported that Real Madrid is preparing to sack Lopetegui.
Antonio Conte is pinned to replace Lopetegui at Real Madrid. The Italian manager was most recently the boss at Chelsea, where he won a Premier League and FA Cup.
A few reports from Spain also suggest that Conte could sign a contract with Real Madrid today, with Lopetegui on his way out. However, Sky’s Giovani Guardala believes that Conte has not taken a decision on his future yet.
Guardala has also provided a rather surprising update on Antonio Conte.
Conte to Manchester United:
According to Guardala, Real Madrid haven’t decided on Lopetegui’s future at the moment.
“Conte is going back to London after his holidays,” Guardala said on Sunday night.
Antonio Conte on his way to Real Madrid. A move that will please his former club, Chelsea, as it increases the chances of Eden Hazard signing a new contract. The club are eager to open negotiations with Hazard soon. #cfc pic.twitter.com/A1c8YuT2oN
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) October 29, 2018
However, Guardala stated that Conte’s actual interest lies in Manchester United, who had been a rivla to his former side Manchester United. He insisted that Conte wants to work with players like Alexis Sanchez, Ander Herrera and Romelu Lukaku, whom he wanted to sign.
It seems like the inevitable will happen today with Lopetegui heading out and Conte heading in…….the way Real Madrid appointed Lopetegui was messy from the start so this comes as no surprise! pic.twitter.com/iEiBX0Z2IR
— Joe Morrison (@joefooty) October 29, 2018
“There are many rumours about his future, Real Madrid is tempting him but Manchester United is a team that Conte really likes. There are players like Paul Pogba, whom he coached at Juventus. Or Alexis Sanchez, Herrera and Lukaku, three players he’s always wanted to sign,” said Guardala.
“At the moment nothing his decided with Real Madrid,” he added.
Guardala had earlier worked as a Chelsea reporter during Antonio Conte’s time at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid will sack Julen Lopetegui and bring in Antonio Conte as manager, according to multiple reports in Spain: https://t.co/btNkL1SQUV pic.twitter.com/Wk9Q6EovIS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2018
What next?
Julen Lopetegui, however, remained positive after a heavy El Clasioc defeat. He stated that Real Madrid would recover from a poor start to the campaign and fans will have reasons to be happy at the end of the season.
Real Madrid will sack Julen Lopetegui today and appoint Antonio Conte as the new manager. (@GuillemBalague) pic.twitter.com/ifmkqLIaJi
— Football Talk (@Football_TaIk) October 29, 2018
“Sporting responsibility always falls on the Coach, but here we all win and all lose together. I’m still convinced that Madrid will celebrate at the end of the season,” said Lopetegui in the post-match conference.