The battle over who will decide at Real Madrid is increasing in intensity. – Due to yet another season without silverware, Florentino Pérez announced shocking presidential elections last month. – It may turn out to have been a mistake for Pérez, who definitely wants to continue managing despite his advanced age.

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A few hours ago, the following headline appeared in the Spanish media:

Real Madrid presidential candidate chooses shocking Premier League name as new manager

Enrique Riquelme wants to appoint Mikel Arteta as the club’s new manager – if he himself is elected later this month.

Risky power move after two seasons without major trophies.

The 79-year-old challenged all potential rivals to try their hand at him. Now renewable-energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme is ready to fight for the top job. It is the first time in over 20 years that Pérez faces a challenger for the presidency of the club.

Election day 7 June

Real Madrid’s 100,000-strong membership base will go to the polls at the end of the week, with the election date set for Sunday, June 7. Pérez has turned down Riquelme’s challenge for a debate, and both candidates will this week try to garner support among fans.

There is widespread belief that if Pérez wins the election, there is already an agreement in place for former manager José Mourinho to return to the club. Riquelme has also claimed that a deal in principle has been struck with his preferred manager candidate – but he has not named him.

Arteta over Klopp?

Initial reports linked former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp to the position, while Spanish outlet Ok Diario speculates that it could actually be Arsenal manager Arteta who has been appointed to the role. They claim that Riquelme would like to work with the Spaniard, and suggest that Arteta could be tempted to leave north London after he won the Premier League title.

Speaking last week, Riquelme stated that he had already “finalized a coaching deal” before announcing his presidential candidacy. He added that the candidate is currently “under contract with another team.”

When asked specifically if he meant Klopp, the 37-year-old replied:

“We are looking at profiles among the very best coaches in world football – people with the level of experience and leadership required to lead a club like Real Madrid. Naturally, I would love for profiles of that calibre, and others like them, to coach this club.

“I can’t say whether he (Klopp) is or is not an option at this stage. The sporting professionals currently working on the project are handling these conversations, and I can’t say more than that right now. We’ll see in the coming days.

He later added:

“He’s obviously someone I’d like to see coach Real Madrid, sooner or later.

Has already secured two big signings

Riquelme also claimed that he has already agreed to two transfers if he wins the presidency. His priority is to sign a Spanish international – after no Real Madrid players were selected for the nation’s World Cup squad.

“If I become president, it will be a Real Madrid player who has played in the World Cup for Spain,” he says.

“No Real Madrid player is going to play in the World Cup for Spain, and as a Madridista I am devastated. It hurts. Who should the madridista kids, or the madridistas themselves, or the club members cheer for? What shirt will they wear to the World Cup? I really hope that we can solve it if I become president.

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