Florentino Perez re-elected Real Madrid president, Mourinho returns as head coach

Florentino Perez was re-elected president of Real Madrid on Sunday in a ballot open to club members, defeating his challenger Enrique Riquelme. Once his victory was confirmed, the executive immediately announced the return of José Mourinho to the Madrid bench.

Perez, who has led the club since 2009 after a first term between 2001 and 2006, prevailed despite two recent seasons deemed disappointing. Riquelme, who presented himself as the candidate for change, acknowledged his defeat and congratulated the winner. “I want to congratulate Florentino Perez on his victory. We must continue to put the members at the centre of everything. I extend my hand with all the respect due to Real Madrid and its president,” he said.

In his victory speech, Perez displayed confidence in the sporting project. “As president of Real Madrid, I am proud of you all. We will continue to work, to be proud of the Bernabéu, of one of the best teams in the world and of one of the best head coaches in the world such as José Mourinho is,” he stated.

The re-elected president also mentioned the club’s European ambition. “We will continue to fight for the 16th Ligue des Champions,” he said, promising to “build a club that is always at the highest level in terms of international reputation”.

Perez also claimed “the second best result in the history of club elections,” while lamenting the cancellation of around one thousand postal votes. “It could have been even better if we had not had nearly 1,000 votes cancelled, for which we will lodge an appeal, because we believe they were valid,” he clarified.