Real Madrid’s sudden manager choice catches Conte out

Real Madrid have just announced that Julen Lopetegui, currently in charge of Spain in Russia, will take over after the World Cup finishes.

It’s a surprise move from Madrid, one that has caught everyone out. They had to move quickly to replace Zinedine Zidane, and they’ve gone for the former Porto man who is currently in charge of the national team.

That’s huge news not just for European football, but also for Chelsea. Madrid were the only other top club still looking for a manager, and now they have their man, Antonio Conte’s best exit from Stamford Bridge has been shut off.

Now it looks almost certain that the club won’t be able to get rid of him without sacking him. So they may as well bite the bullet and do it now. That way they can kill the inertia that is keeping everything painfully frozen at Stamford Bridge at the moment.

Chelsea News