Real Madrid reportedly delayed appointing Antonio Conte as manager because the Italian came with transfer demands, while Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is still being eyed as a long-term choice.
Los Blancos confirmed Julen Lopetegui's sacking on Monday, and Castilla coach Santiago Solari took over in the interim. Marca (h/t Mirror's Thomas Bristow) reported Solari was picked ahead of Conte because the latter wanted a new central defender to employ his three-man defence at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Spurs manager Pochettino has long been rumoured as a target for Real, and John Cross of the Mirror reported he remains their top alternative to Conte after Lopetegui's departure was confirmed.