Antonio Conte has confirmed that he is not interested in the vacant Real Madrid job as he does not intend to return to management until next summer.
The 49-year-old, who was given the boot by Chelsea at the end of last season despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup in his two years at Stamford Bridge, is believed to have been approached by Madrid chiefs last month.
Los Blancos are on the lookout for a new boss after parting company with Julen Lopetegui on October 28, and out-of-work Conte emerged as an early contender for the high-profile position.
Four months on from his Chelsea sacking, however, the Italian has revealed that he is not ready for a return to the dugout.
"Real Madrid? As I see it, it is better to wait until the end of the season than to take a train running now," he is quoted as saying by Marca.
"I want to wait for June and start again with a new project. In three months I could change my mind and deny everything, but I've always thought of it this way."
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino and ex-Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim have also been strongly linked with the Madrid job, which is expected to remain occupied by caretaker Santiago Solari until the end of the season.
Daniel Lewis
