Real Madrid eyeing Antonio Conte as Zinedine Zidane replacement

Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as the latest candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.

According to a report by Daily Mail, Antonio Conte is the latest name to emerge as a possible candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane as the Real Madrid manager. The Italian is under the cosh at Chelsea, with the West Londoners looking for possible replacements for him as well.

Conte has enjoyed tremendous success as a top-level manager, winning five trophies while in-charge of Juventus before guiding Italy to an impressive quarter-finals finish at Euro 2016, after which the Italian tactician joined Chelsea, where he was an instant success.

Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge while also reaching the FA Cup final. His second season with the Blues though, was anything but successful as a clash with the club board over their transfer policy saw their Premier League campaign spiral out of control, before they eventually finished 5th.

Chelsea did end the season by going one better in the FA Cup, but their inability to qualify for the Champions League means that Conte’s future has been uncertain. His potential availability seems to have piqued the interest of Real Madrid, who are in desperate search for a new manager.

Los Blancos were left shell shocked last week as Zinedine Zidane announced his decision to quit as the manager, just five days after he had guided the side to their third successive Champions League triumph. Zidane’s resignation has sent Real Madrid into a frenzy, with a number of managers linked with the job.

Their preferred choices were reportedly Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, but both managers are happy at their current clubs, with the latter categorically denying his intention of leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid. As a result, the European champions have had to expand their wishlist.

In the last few days, the likes of Arsene Wenger, Michel and Michael Laudrup have all been shock contenders for the Real Madrid job, with Guti Hernandez rated as an outside chance. The club even tried to tempt Massimiliano Allegri with the manager’s post, but the Italian is happy at Juventus, which seems to have forced their attention towards his compatriot Conte.

The Italian tactician is known to make the best of his resources, and can potentially solidify a fragile defence. But, the fact that Conte clashed with the Chelsea board had initially put doubts in the minds of the Real Madrid hierarchy.

However, with no prominent name close to being available, Conte could be the best possible option for Real Madrid. The Italian though, has been reluctant to leave Chelsea on his own accord, and it remains to be seen if Los Blancos are able to lure him to the Bernabeu as they step up their efforts to appoint a new manager.