Pérez defeats Riquelme, Mourinho returns to Real

10.06.2026 08:01 HotInfo

Florentino Pérez remains president of Real Madrid and, after his victory over Enrique Riquelme, is to lead the club until 2030. The election also fulfilled his key pre-election promise: José Mourinho is returning to the Real Madrid bench, which was also confirmed by his current club, Benfica. SITA ↗

The election concluded the first major battle for leadership of the club in roughly two decades. Pérez defended his mandate despite a difficult season and pressure for a change in leadership. Riquelme presented himself as a young challenger with a different vision of management, and at 37 years old was the youngest candidate for the presidency in the club's history. Before the vote, 400 postal votes for Pérez's candidacy were annulled due to a double stamp. El Pais ↗

Mourinho's return is set to cost Real Madrid 15 million euros. According to Spanish sources, the Portuguese coach flew into Madrid on Tuesday afternoon and is already preparing for the pre-season period. The club also officially ended the tenure of Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been the first team's interim coach. teraz.sk ↗

Following his re-election, Pérez also attempted a major transfer move. Real Madrid submitted a bid of 150 million euros to Atlético Madrid for Julián Álvarez, but the city rival rejected it. Ahead of the election, other names had also been mentioned, including Michael Olise, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries, while Riquelme was promising the arrival of Erling Haaland. El Mundo ↗

The new leadership is thus entering a period in which it will need to combine political victory with rapid sporting renewal of the team following a season without the expected successes. sport.cz - fotbal ↗

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