How would you describe the entire election process at Real Madrid?
"It’s a standard election process like any other. First, candidates submit their applications within a set deadline, a voting date is established, and finally, nearly 100,000 club members cast their votes either in person or by mail.
"The term lasts four years, unless elections are held earlier, as is the case now. Whoever wins the election becomes president of Real Madrid and has the authority to make decisions on sporting and institutional matters. However, they must always act in accordance with the club’s statutes and with the support of its members."
The current president, Florentino Perez, has never lost an election. But often he didn’t have any opponent. Was no one willing to challenge him?
"That’s what makes this election unique, because Real Madrid will hold its first regular elections in the last 20 years, as no one has stood against Perez during this time. On the other hand, Perez set very strict criteria for presidential candidates, which meant he had no rivals for a long time."
And he could rule without worries, right?
"Absolutely. In my opinion, though, this partly contributed to the current poor sporting situation, because Florentino had no one to point out the mistakes he was making. There’s no doubt he’s been the best president in Real Madrid’s history, but maybe it really is time for some new blood on the club’s board."
You once told me that although Florentino Perez has achieved huge success with the club in recent years, the players gradually slipped out of his control as they gained significant power. Back then, you said that was on the president. Is that perhaps his biggest current indictment?
"I stand by what I said a few months ago. Florentino Perez was the best, but in recent years, he’s lost some of his power. People aren’t afraid of him anymore, and that led him to make mistakes, like the recent extravagant press conference where he announced the elections.
"As for his leniency towards the players, we saw that it eventually backfired on him, or rather on the club. There were arguments in the dressing room, and some players thought they had so much power they could make decisions more than the coach."
Still, Perez shows no self-reflection?
"He knows he’s not as strong as he used to be, and he deliberately moved the elections forward to catch potential challengers off guard and not give them enough time to prepare."
Enrique Riquelme will challenge him in the elections. How would you introduce him?
"We don’t know much about him yet. He’s a successful entrepreneur in the renewable energy sector, which is a big plus because he doesn’t need Real Madrid to get rich. On the other hand, when it comes to running for club president, he might still lack some experience. He comes across as an idealist in love with Real Madrid, but I’m not sure yet if he has what it takes to be a quality president."
He claims to have a vision for the club and promises to bring in two big stars. Is that even possible? And who do you think they could be?
"He’s expressed interest in bringing in Jurgen Klopp and Erling Haaland, but that seems like an empty campaign promise, since it’s practically impossible to sign both in the short term. So I find it hard to believe he has two world-class stars lined up.
"Real Madrid already has a squad full of big and expensive names. To afford more, someone else would have to leave. If I had to guess who Riquelme might be interested in, I’d say maybe Vitinha for midfield and a reliable central defender."
If he won the election, he’d probably stop the almost finalised arrival of Jose Mourinho. Do you think that would be a good move?
"It would be one of the worst decisions to start a presidency with. Real Madrid fans are excited about 'The Special One' returning to the Santiago Bernabeu. For Riquelme, that would be a negative point."
He also mentioned that he has a sporting director ready for the club, a role that doesn’t currently exist at Real Madrid. Do you see that as a negative, too?
"Jorge Valdano, who held that role at the club in the past, would tell you there’s no room for such a position at Real Madrid. Back then, it didn’t work out because Perez was always the one making the real decisions, which is directly at odds with what a sporting director should do."
So how does Real Madrid’s sporting management work today?
"In recent years, the structure has settled so that Jose Angel Sanchez is delegated to handle sporting matters. He was a key figure in bringing in many star players. He acted as a support and advisor to the president, who still had the final say, but delegated a lot to Sanchez."
Is that a good strategy?
"Personally, I believe that Real Madrid’s revival depends on whether it has specialists in each area, including the sporting side, and whether the president allows these experts to do their best work without interfering."
What chances do you give Enrique Riquelme against Florentino Perez in the elections?
"None."