Steve McManaman gives his verdict on Julen Lopetegui's remaining time at Real Madrid and breaks down who the next manager could be.
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Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says he is considering taking legal action against Spanish newspaper El Pais because of an article it published on Friday claiming he would not welcome the appointment of either Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte as his club's new coach.
The Spanish giants have endured a nightmare start to La Liga under new coach Julen Lopetegui and there is speculation that a change at the helm is imminent with Courtois' former Chelsea coaches Mourinho and Conte both linked with the Madrid job.
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A story published in El Pais suggested that perhaps Courtois, due to his "youth, or by his naivety, the lad did not hide the displeasure that the psychological manipulations of Mourinho and the authoritarianism of Conte caused him."
Courtois then tweeted: "I want to categorically deny the information published today in the @elpais_deportes regarding me. It includes lies that harm me as a professional and I expect a rectification as I ponder taking legal action."
The Belgium international signed for Real Madrid in August after four straight seasons at Chelsea.
Courtois, after three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, returned to the London club and played for Mourinho until the Portuguese was dismissed in December 2015.
Quiero desmentir rotundamente la información publicada hoy en el @elpais_deportes referente a mi persona. Incluye mentiras que me dañan como profesional y espero una rectificación meditando tomar acciones legales.
— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) October 26, 2018
The Belgium international then played for Guus Hiddink before Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2016.
The 26-year-old has started in seven league games for Los Blancos this season. Madrid head into Sunday's league Clasico at Barcelona having taken just one point from a possible 12 in their last four league games.
Former Spain coach Lopetegui was appointed at Madrid in June shortly after Zinedine Zidane stepped down from the position after guiding the club to their third straight Champions League trophy.
Source: espn.co.uk