Antonio Conte is out of the running to become Real Madrid's next head coach, according to a report on the Spanish television channel Cuatro.

Conte feared players wouldn't welcome appointment, report suggests

The Italian "has made the decision after giving it a lot of thought", the report said, adding: "The reasons for the breakdown in the negotiations are unknown, but they are not thought to be financial. It may be that Conte felt that not everyone in the dressing room would be in favour of his arrival."

Italian had been strongly fancied to take over from Lopetegui

Conte had been heavily tipped to succeed Julen Lopetegui, whose dismissal as Madrid boss was confirmed this evening; however, AS had learned this afternoon that complications had arisen in talks between Los Blancos and the former Chelsea manager.

Santiago Solari, who is currently coach of Castilla, the club's 'B' team, has now been placed in caretaker charge of the senior side, starting with Madrid's last-32 trip to face Melilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday

Read also: Real Madrid sack Julen Lopetegui as coach

Sources in Italy said earlier today that, despite suggestions that Conte's move to the Spanish capital had been agreed, he was yet to give Madrid a definite 'yes', and was particularly keen to get further clarification from the European champions over their future plans for the first-team squad.

Conte is still in the process of finalising his contractual ties with Chelsea but, having been relieved of his duties as boss of the Premier League side in July, is from a sporting standpoint free to take on a new coaching job.

Ramos: "Respect is won, it's not imposed"

In the wake of Sunday's 5-1 Clásico defeat to Barcelona, Madrid captain Sergio Ramos did not offer a ringing endorsement of the potential appointment of Conte, who is known for his strict management style. "Respect is won, it's not imposed," Ramos told reporters. "We have won everything with managers that you know, and in the end, the management of the dressing room is more important than the technical knowledge of a manager."