Antonio Conte is the hot favourite to take over if Real Madrid fire Julen Lopetegui, with reports he was contacted on October 2.
The Merengues are in freefall after a shock 2-1 home defeat to Levante.
They even managed to set a new club record by going over seven hours without a goal in all competition.
Lopetegui insists the possibility of being axed is “the last thing on my mind,” but Conte’s shadow is lurking over his bench.
Chelsea would actively encourage this, as it would mean cutting short the legal battle Conte is waging for unfair dismissal.
According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, Real Madrid contacted Conte as long ago as October 2, straight after the Champions League defeat to CSKA Moscow.