Florentino Perez has announced that elections will be held at Real Madrid CF and confirmed that he intends to stand once again as president despite mounting criticism following another disappointing season for the Spanish giants.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, the 79-year-old firmly rejected any suggestion that he could step aside amid growing unrest around the club.“I am not going to resign,” Perez declared.
The announcement comes at the end of a turbulent campaign in which Real Madrid are set to finish without a major trophy for the second consecutive season, an outcome that has intensified pressure both on the board and within the dressing room.
Madrid’s latest setback arrived on Sunday when fierce rivals FC Barcelona defeated them 2-0 at Camp Nou to secure back-to-back La Liga titles with three matches still remaining.
European disappointment also added to the frustration surrounding the club after Madrid were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage by FC Bayern Munich.
The difficult season has fuelled speculation over the future of manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January but is now widely expected to leave at the end of the campaign.
Among the names already being linked with the vacancy is former Madrid coach José Mourinho, with reports suggesting the Portuguese could sensationally return to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Off the pitch, tensions within the squad have also reportedly escalated throughout the campaign. Supporters have increasingly voiced frustration towards star signing Kylian Mbappé over what many perceive as a lack of commitment and leadership during difficult moments of the season.
Spanish media have also reported a series of dressing room and training ground incidents, including one alleged altercation that reportedly left midfielder Federico Valverde requiring hospital treatment.
Despite the growing criticism and instability surrounding the club, Perez appears determined to continue leading Madrid through what could become one of the most important rebuilding phases of his presidency.
The upcoming elections are now expected to dominate headlines across Spain as questions continue to mount over the direction of the club both on and off the pitch.
