Speaking via his agent, Federico Pastorello, former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has refused to comment on reports that he has been contacted by Real Madrid over potentially succeeding Julen Lopetegui at the helm of the club.
With the international break coming to an end and the focus shifting back to club football, Real Madrid need a victory more than most as they turn their attentions back to their stuttering LaLiga campaign.
'Los Blancos' haven't won a game since the end of September when they beat Espanyol, having suffered defeats at the hands of Sevilla, CSKA Moscow and Alavés since, as well as being held to a goalless draw by city rivals Atletico Madrid.
The pressure is likely to start mounting on manager Julen Lopetegui if three points aren't secured when Levante come to town on Saturday, with Italian publication 'Corriere dello Sport' having reported on Thursday that the European champions had made initial contact with Conte.
However, elements of the Spanish press such as 'SER' and 'COPE' denied those reports, sating that the club were still completely behind Lopetegui and the work he is doing, whilst also adding that the prospect of Conte did not exactly set pulses racing in the Real Madrid dressing room.
As if that weren't enough, Conte neither confirmed, nor denied the reports, with his agent Pastorello writing to 'El Partidazo de COPE' to say: "I'm sorry, but he doesn't want to talk about his siituation. Until next time"