Real Madrid’s failure to land Antonio Conte to cost Chelsea more than £7m as La Liga side pull plug over his ‘combustible character’

REAL MADRID'S failure to sign Antonio Conte will cost his former club Chelsea more than £7million, according to reports.

And it is believed the La Liga giants pulled the plug on a deal for the Italian because of concerns over his "combustible character".

SunSport told you that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is now the man Real want in the Bernabeu hotseat after they axed Julen Lopetegui.

The Times report that Conte is continuing to pursue the Blues for damages after his sacking last summer.

Chelsea had hoped that Conte would join Real as that would mean they could finally stop paying him.

Under the terms of his last contract signed in July 2017, Conte is entitled to receive his £9.5m salary for a year - or until he takes another job.

Conte's dispute with the side he led to the Premier League title remains in the hands of lawyers.

Real have since appointed Santiago Solari, who was head of their second-string side, as interim head coach.

The Times go on to claim that talks between Real and Conte broke down because of concerns over his hot-headed temper.

And they also report Bernabeu chiefs were concerned over his fall-outs with players, most notably Diego Costa and Willian.

Pochettino appears destined to get the Real job - especially after admitting he is at this lowest point with the London club.

Gary Neville also reckons Poch has hit a wall at Spurs and reached his limit in how far he can take them.

Spurs lost 1-0 to Manchester City at their temporary Wembley home last night on a pitch plagued by the after effects of Sunday's NFL game.