Real sack Lopetegui but plan to court Conte in limbo

Sunday’s 5-1 La Liga Clasico hammering at Barcelona was the final act of Julen Lopetegui’s disastrous and short spell as Real Madrid coach — but the Bernabeu outfit may now remain in limbo, as talks with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte broke down yesterday, writes Dermot Corrigan

Madrid have taken just one point from their last five La Liga games, with Lopetegui looking increasingly alone and forlorn on the sideline, falling to ninth in the La Liga table, closer to the relegation zone than leaders Barca.