Antonio Conte reacts to Real Madrid speculation

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has reportedly ruled himself out of the Real Madrid vacancy as he does not plan to return to coaching until next summer.

The 48-year-old has been heavily tipped to take charge at the Bernabeu after the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui last month but it now appears that a deal is far from happening.

Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, Conte dismissed the ongoing speculation involving Los Blancos by stating that he would prefer to return to management afresh in eight months' time.

He said: "Real Madrid? As I see it, it is better to wait until the end of the season than to take a train running now. I want to wait for June and start again with a new project."

With Conte out of the mix, Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino and ex-Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim are now among the top contenders under consideration for the Real vacancy with the international break underway.

Real Madrid have won each of their previous four matches under the tutelage of interim boss Santiago Scolari. They have scored an average of nearly four goals per game during this period.