The report said Real officials are exploring the option of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s move to the Bernabeu.

His possible arrival is believed to appeal to record signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who worked with him with the Portugal national side. Ronaldo has been noticeably annoyed by Pellegrini’s decision to withdraw him from the latter stages of a number of games so far this season

With current coach Manuel Pellegrini’s performance already under intense scrutiny, the 61-year-old Brazilian could become Madrid’s 11th coach since the turn of the century within a matter of weeks, with the game against Barcelona on 29 November believed to be a crucial point in the Chilean’s reign as coach.