Florentino Pérez has secured another term as president of Real Madrid with a commanding majority, setting the stage for José Mourinho’s return to the club as head coach.
The 79-year-old, who has led the club for 23 years across two spells, won 65 percent of the vote to defeat his opponent, 37-year-old Enrique Riquelme, Real Madrid confirmed late on Sunday.
“We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,” Pérez said in his acceptance remarks following the result.
With the presidential vote decided, the next step is the announcement of Mourinho as Real Madrid’s new manager.
Mourinho, aged 63, is set to come back after his previous stint at the Santiago Bernabéu ended 13 years ago. Real Madrid are also reported to pay Benfica a release clause worth 15 million euros (about $17.25 million) to bring the Portuguese coach back.
“We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the best stadium in the world,” Pérez said. “Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like José Mourinho.”
Mourinho originally joined Real Madrid in 2010 and spent three seasons with the club.
Across that period, he delivered one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey triumph and a Spanish Super Cup, during an intense era of rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
For Pérez, choosing Mourinho represents a high-stakes decision given that Los Blancos ended the 2025/26 season without winning a major trophy—marking a second straight year without silverware.
“We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles,” Pérez added. “And we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup.”
Last week, a short video posted on Pérez’s campaign’s official Instagram account showed the Portuguese coach wearing a Real Madrid shirt and responding “Yes.”
Riquelme, the losing candidate, had previously promised that if he won the presidency he would try to sign Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid’s ownership model is member-based, with the president elected by club members.
“Rest assured,” Pérez said. “With me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members.”
