Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid’s president until 2030, paving the way for José Mourinho to be confirmed as the club’s new head coach. The 79-year-old obtained 65% of the vote, winning 21,741 votes against challenger Enrique Riquelme’s 11,814 (35%) in the first contested presidential election in two decades. A total of 33,555 members voted, though the result was delayed after Riquelme challenged around 1,000 postal votes, of which more than 400 were struck off.
“We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,” Pérez said. “I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid. We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup. Proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like José Mourinho.”
“Florentino Pérez re-elected Real Madrid president with 65% vote, confirming José Mourinho as head coach.”
Mourinho, 63, had signed a three-year deal last month to become head coach, but it was conditional on Pérez retaining the presidency. He is leaving his role as Benfica manager, where he took charge in September and led them to third place in the Primeira Liga. Real will pay Benfica a €15m (£13m) release fee for the Portuguese. Mourinho replaces Álvaro Arbeloa, who only took charge in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.
In his previous spell at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. His return comes after Real ended the 2025-26 campaign without silverware, with rivals Barcelona sealing the title with a 2-0 El Clásico victory.
During the campaign, Pérez promised to make a club record offer for an unnamed “great player” if re-elected – understood to be Michael Olise, with a bid of at least €150m expected on Tuesday. He also plans to sell 5% of the club, a proposal that will be put to a members’ assembly. Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy magnate, had campaigned against what he called Pérez’s “privatisation” of the club and warned these could be Madrid’s last elections. Though the margin of victory was smaller than anticipated, Pérez has reinforced his position, having won the past five elections unopposed. Under his presidency, Madrid have won seven European Cups and become the richest club in the world.