Sergio Ramos Talks 'F--Ked Up Situation' at Real Madrid, Antonio Conte Rumours

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos says the club are in a "f--ked up situation" after they lost 5-1 to Barcelona on Sunday and discussed the possibility of Antonio Conte replacing Julen Lopetegui as manager.

Los Blancos had won just one of their last six games heading into Sunday's Clasico, and despite Barca missing the injured Lionel Messi, they were put to the sword at the Camp Nou. 

According to Marca's Jose Luis Calderon, Ramos said: 

"It's a very f--ked up situation for the whole team. It was a key match and it was a poor result. It's not the time to point the finger at anyone, but there's a lot to think about. I have won leagues from this position, we need to have our heads high, and the key to success is work."

Per AS, on the idea of Conte's "heavy hand" coming in, the Spaniard added: "Respect is won, it's not imposed. Not one name or another. We have won everything with managers that you know, and at the end, the management of the dressing room is more important than the technical knowledge of a manager."

Conte's man-management skills came into question during his second year at Chelsea amid fall-outs with the likes of Willian and David Luiz, while his intense training methods were also reported to have bred discontent in some quarters of the dressing room, per The Independent's Miguel Delaney.

Despite those issues, the Italian led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and they won the FA Cup in his second year.

With three Serie A titles also on his CV from his time with Juventus, Conte is one of the most decorated managers available right now, and it's hardly surprising he is being linked with the job given Lopetegui is under so much pressure.

The results produced under the Spaniard have been well below par:

Fox Sports' James Dodd is one of many who believe the thrashing at the Camp Nou will be the final nail in his Real Madrid coffin:

SB Nation's Lucas Navarrete believes it is unfair to lay blame squarely at Lopetegui's door for the team's failings, though:

After the decision to part with Cristiano Ronaldo and only recruit Mariano Diaz to take his place, it was always likely that it would be a struggle for Madrid to perform at their usual standard this season.

Real also sent Mateo Kovacic on loan to Chelsea, and even last year the club also let valuable squad players such as James Rodriguez, Pepe and Alvaro Morata depart while doing little to replace them.

Madrid are still capable of putting in better performances than they have this season, and Lopetegui does bear some responsibility for that, but he's far from the only one to blame for their current predicament.