Florentino Perez has secured another term as president of Real Madrid after winning a decisive victory in the club’s presidential election, a result that is expected to clear the path for the return of Jose Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabéu.
The veteran football executive, who is 79 years old, received approximately 65 percent of votes cast by nearly 100,000 club members, known as socios, comfortably defeating his challenger, Enrique Riquelme, who is 37.
The outcome extends Perez’s long-standing influence at Real Madrid, where he has served as president for a combined 23 years across two separate periods in office.
Addressing supporters after the announcement of the results on Sunday, Perez thanked members for their confidence and pledged to continue building on the club’s success.
“We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,” Perez said during his victory address.
With the election settled, attention has quickly shifted to the club’s managerial situation. Reports indicate that Mourinho could be unveiled as Real Madrid’s new head coach as early as Monday.
The Portuguese tactician is expected to make a sensational return to the Spanish giants more than a decade after leaving the club. His appointment would reportedly require Madrid to pay a release clause of around €15 million to his current employers, Benfica.
Perez used his speech to highlight the club’s achievements on and off the pitch, including the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which he described as the finest football venue in the world.
“We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the best stadium in the world,” Perez stated.
“Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho.”
Mourinho first took charge of Real Madrid in 2010 and spent three seasons leading the club. During that period, he guided Los Blancos to a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey triumph, and a Spanish Super Cup victory.
His tenure was particularly notable for the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, then managed by Pep Guardiola. The clashes between the two sides defined an era of Spanish football and produced some of the most memorable encounters in the sport’s history.
Despite his previous success in Madrid, Mourinho’s return is widely viewed as a bold move by Perez. The club endured a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, finishing without a major trophy for the second consecutive season and increasing pressure on the leadership to deliver immediate results.
Speculation regarding Mourinho’s comeback intensified last week after a short video posted on Perez’s campaign social media account showed the coach wearing a Real Madrid shirt and responding with a simple “Yes” when asked about a potential return.
Meanwhile, defeated candidate Enrique Riquelme had attempted to win support with ambitious promises, including a pledge to sign Norwegian goal-scoring sensation Erling Haaland from Manchester City if elected president.
However, club members ultimately chose continuity over change, handing Perez another mandate and setting the stage for what could become one of the most talked-about managerial appointments in European football.
