Florentino Perez Calls for Elections Amid Real Madrid Crisis
Florentino Perez rarely steps into the firing line. When he does, it usually means Real Madrid have reached a crossroads.
After a season many around the club have branded a historic disaster – no major trophies, a carousel of coaches, and a dressing room riddled with tension – the president has triggered a leadership contest. The architect of the modern Madrid era is putting his mandate, and his legacy, back on the ballot.
Elections called, but Perez stays on the front foot
Perez confirmed he has formally asked the electoral board to open the process for elections to the board of directors, with the current regime standing again.
"I have asked the electoral board to begin the process to start the elections for the board of directors, for which we, this Board of Directors, will be running," he said, stressing that the contest would be open to all members. "I'm calling them so everyone knows they're open to everyone, that they can run like I did. I don't give lectures, I don't go where I have to be in the spotlight."
It was a familiar Perez posture: inviting challengers, while making it clear he has no intention of stepping aside.
Supporters, though, wanted something else – clarity on the bench. After the stints of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, the Bernabéu is restless for a new figurehead on the touchline. Names swirl, rumours grow, and one question keeps coming: is José Mourinho coming back?
Mourinho question batted away
Asked directly about the possibility of Mourinho returning to restore order, Perez shut the door on any summer soap opera. At least in public.
"Regarding Mourinho's arrival, we're not at that procedural stage yet; we're focused on ensuring that Real Madrid belongs to its members," he replied. "I want to discuss this with them, let them come forward, let them tell me what they've done for Real Madrid in their lives."
Then he drew a hard line: "I'm not going to talk about coaches or players. I'm running to return the club's assets to its members."
The message was clear. No sidetracks, no transfer theatre. Not yet.
Under fire, Perez goes on the attack
If anyone expected a chastened president after a barren year, they misread the room. Perez used the occasion to launch a fierce defence of his record and a scathing attack on parts of the media, accusing them of trying to destabilise the club and prise it away from its members.
"They're being taken away from them, from what I see every day, by some journalists who want me to leave," he claimed. "Not only am I not going to leave, I'm running for election because I want Real Madrid to continue belonging to its members."
He reached back to his first arrival at the helm to frame himself as the club’s protector.
"I ran 26 years ago and had to pay those who weren't being paid and defend the institution. I have to put an end to this absurd campaign against Real Madrid. There has never been a more glorious Real Madrid in history. I was elected the best president in the club's history, and in the history of all clubs."
It was vintage Florentino: financial rescue, institutional defence, and an insistence that nobody else can shield Real Madrid from “absurd campaigns” and outside interests.
“Let them run”
For now, there is no obvious rival. No heavyweight challenger has stepped out of the shadows. Perez, though, insisted this is no coronation and openly invited his critics to test their strength in the ballot box.
"I'm calling for elections this year so there will be candidates," he said. Then he turned his fire on one particular unnamed detractor. "That man who talks to the electric companies and has a South American accent, let him run. A Mexican accent. They say we're very bad, that we're a dictatorship. Let this man we're talking about run, and anyone else who wants to."
The president framed the election as a simple choice: step forward, attach your name, and promise to do better – or stop sniping from the sidelines.
"Florentino isn't going to leave until the members want him to," he concluded. "Those who want to run should run and say they're going to do better. That's what I did before 2000, when the dead were voting. Are we going back to that era? No. We are working to make football and Madrid better, and we are going to achieve many things."
The trophies may have dried up this season, the coaching situation may be unresolved, and the noise around the club may be louder than ever. But on one point, Perez left no room for doubt: Real Madrid’s next chapter, at least in his eyes, will still be written with him at the centre of it – unless the members decide they have finally heard enough.
