Pérez re-elected, Mourinho returns
Florentino Pérez has won Real Madrid's presidential election, the first member vote in 20 years. The win seals José Mourinho's return as head coach, with Madrid paying Benfica a €15m release fee to bring him back (5) (6).
Mourinho's first words on returning: "Oui, bien sûr", yes, of course (2).
Pérez called it "the second-best result in history" (8). His mandate is clear, and he's already moving.
Get the next Real Madrid CF brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Riquelme's alternative vision rejected
Challenger Enrique Riquelme ran on a radically different platform, Jürgen Klopp as coach, Raúl as sporting director, and a transfer policy built around Erling Haaland and Rodri (6) (8). The voters said no. Pérez's promise of Mourinho and what he called "the biggest signing in history" carried the day (1) (3) (6).
Olise in the crosshairs
Madrid is preparing a €150m bid for Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. But Bayern president Herbert Hainer isn't playing along: "Michael Olise is a Bayern Munich player with a long contract, and we are not a selling club. If Florentino Pérez wants to send us an offer, which hasn't happened yet, he can save himself the trouble" (10).
The battle lines are drawn. Mourinho wants him. Bayern says no. This one has a long way to run.
Fan reactions
Madridistas are buzzing. The consensus on Reddit leans heavily pro-Pérez, with fans celebrating the return of a known winner in Mourinho. One wildcard rumor drawing attention: Pepe could join Mourinho's staff as an assistant, a prospect that has the faithful feeling nostalgic and optimistic in equal measure.
