Chelsea are facing up to the fact there will be no easy - or cheap - way out of their managerial deadlock following Real Madrid’s decision to appoint Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui’s controversial switch, which saw him sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup, pretty much rules out the prospect of a mutual split between Antonio Conte and Chelsea that would have seen him walk straight into another job.

With no big vacancies left and no immediate prospect of a tempting job becoming available, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is left with the clear choice between sacking Conte and paying him up to £9 million in compensation or letting him see out the final year of his contract and risk civil war breaking out at Stamford Bridge.

Conte has made it clear he will not quit and, despite being left in the dark over Chelsea’s plans, has told friends he is prepared to return for pre-season training if no action is taken.

It is still expected Conte will be sacked, but a decision had been delayed to see whether there was a mutually beneficial parting of the ways available for both parties.