Florentino Perez has been re-elected as president of Real Madrid with an overwhelming vote margin, clearing the path for Jose Mourinho to return as head coach.
On January 19, the club announced that Perez, 79, secured 65% of the vote, defeating rival Enrique Riquelme, 37. Perez has held the presidency for a total of 23 years across two terms.
“We won the election and will continue working to win more titles,” Perez said in his victory speech.
The result means Mourinho, 63, could be announced as Real Madrid's new head coach as early as January 20. This would mark his return 13 years after leaving the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid is expected to pay a €15 million ($17.25 million) buyout fee to Benfica, where Mourinho currently works.
“We will continue to be proud of the Santiago Bernabeu, the best stadium in the world,” Perez said. “Proud to have the best players in the world, and proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho.”
Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup amid fierce competition with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
The appointment of Mourinho — a controversial figure — is seen as a gamble by President Perez after Real Madrid failed to win any major trophy in the 2025/26 season, a second consecutive trophy-less campaign.
“We will continue to work so that Real Madrid always wins titles,” Perez affirmed. “And we will fight to the end to win the 16th European Cup.”
On January 17, a short video on the official Instagram account of Perez's campaign showed Mourinho wearing a Real Madrid shirt and saying: “Yes.”
Defeated rival Riquelme had promised to recruit Manchester City striker Erling Haaland if he won.
Real Madrid is wholly owned by its members, who elect the president.
“Rest assured,” Perez said. “With me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and always will belong to its members.”
