Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says Antonio Conte has demanded too much to take over as coach and will not get the job. Former Chelsea, Juventus and Italy boss Conte was initially believed to be Real’s top target to succeed the sacked Julen Lopetegui at the Bernabeu but he is now unlikely to be considered for the position.
Calderon, who was president between 2006-09, says he heard Conte wanted a three-year contract, was keen to bring five assistants with him and also wanted full control over transfers and that was something current president Florentino Perez was not willing to contemplate.
“He’s asked for three years and to come in with five people and have hands free for signings and transfers,” Calderon told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But that’s something the president isn’t willing to accept.”
Calderon also believes Conte’s pragmatic style would also not suit Real and it appears he is out of the running to take over.
He added: “I don’t think Antonio Conte will be the coach the Bernabeu is expecting. He’s like Jose Mourinho – a defensive coach with normally three centre-backs playing counter-attacking football.
“That’s not what Real Madrid expect to see. The president tried this before with Mourinho. They didn’t win the Champions League and he left the club in a bad situation.”
B-team coach Santiago Solari has taken over on a temporary basis and is being talked about as a possible long-term option if he does well in the next few weeks, while Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and former Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger have all also been linked with the job.
Real are way off the pace in La Liga in ninth position, having made their worst start to a season since 2008-09 and host Real Valladolid on Saturday.
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