Did this entire generation only appear the last two seasons or did they witness us win a double the year prior? Did we not just go on another historic run of CLs or did those not happen? Man it's weird seeing how people here can't even grasp the idea of falling short and how life has ebbs and flows.
I remember calling people losers for saying our "Franco champions leagues do not count". Here we are now.
I generally agree that people need to be qualified for a specific position, but football is a strange industry. This wouldn't be the first time a certain ex-player gets a specific role at a large club. We also don't necessarily know what role Pepe is being considered for, unless I've missed it. In any case, I think you're being quite harsh on Pepe. He had that moment against Getafe, paid dearly for it and went on to become an iconic defender for club and country, with a good disciplinary record to show for it. In addition, from what I remember Pepe was a very popular and respected figure in the dressing room, and not because he was a "big bad wolf" that scares players, but due to - at least that was my impression at the time - most people at the club simply liking him as a person. Having such a successful and well-liked club legend be part of the staff might therefore not be a bad idea at all. Finally, and while this might not be the reason he's being considered, it's somewhat interesting that Pepe survived a similar mess after Mourinho of all people burned the house down during the 2012/2013 season. So Pepe might know a thing or two about turning a bad situation around.
You ask for it, you got it. IMO this whining about referees is ten times more pathetic and humiliating than anything Riquelme has done.
Pepe was a proven leader on the pitch and mostly beloved by his teammates. If Jose thinks he’s the right addition to his staff, why not? Leadership, sacrifice, discipline and fighting spirit lack across the board right now. Maybe he can instill some of that into this lot?
I am currently not a Perez fan, but saying that this is whining is hilarious. There are these things known as 'laws', the same things because of which most of ex Barca presidents are in jail. I cant believe there are 'fans' of Real Madrid that not only does not want justice, but pretend that we are whining?!? The question is not why Perez is doing it, but why is he doing it so late!
That we got robbed of titles because of referee decisions is a joke. We have been at the favorable end of refereeing mistakes more or less as much as Barca, as is the tendency for all big clubs. There is no conspiracy against Real Madrid. We are not victims. Claiming we are is just delusional.
They are not fans, but glory hunters who started a hysteria after Real didn’t win trophies for two consecutive seasons and we all know who they are.
The last time Florentino Perez was involved in a contested election was in 2004. At the time, there were approximately 65,000 socios with the power to vote. He won that 3 candidate election in a landslide with 28,000 votes. This election also featured Lorenzo Sanz, a former Madrid president, certainly a much more known figure than Riquelme. Fast forward to 2026, in a 2 candidate election and 75,000 socios with the power to vote, Florentino mustered just under 22,000 votes. So in 22 years, he lost 6,000 votes despite the increase of the total number of socios.
The fact that he won with an overwhelming majority after all the institutional malfunction of the past few years and the promise to sell the club is an incredible achievement. The club is not successful in any field outside of its financial power right now, and you could argue that's only possible with the kind of pockets the fanbase has in the first place,and the prestige the brand holds at this point.
The issue I have with this matter is that the club feels as if it holds the exclusive rights to this matter. Every other club got upset at it, but Florentino held on to Barca because they were the last club to hang on to the Superleague plan. As soon as they left he basically weaponized this matter not to solve the issue but to punish them for not sitting this through with him. Which is why instead of cooperating with the authorities and the prosecution, he's doing all the showmanship with UEFA, it's all a spectacle.
Personally, I don't think it's an incredible achievement to lose that many votes running against a candidate you described for days as a 'total charlatan' and 'delusional.'
Sanz had got exposed as corrupt by 2004. He finished 4th out of 5 candidates in 2006 where another scammer Calderon came out on top.
Tin foil hat, Riquelme was controlled opposition. Flo called for elections knowing that no one can feasibly challenge him. Exposed Riquelme for being somewhat incompetent so that absolutely know one can challenge Flo in the future. Naturally, any sane person would vote for Flo in this situation. Flo is the master of the media. He's clearly still "got it" but the club absolutely needs to be making better decisions with the squad as well as the culture of the club. Not only has the squad had gaping holes for six plus years but the winning culture is now gone as well. These are two problems that need to be rectified and cannot be rectified in a single season.
Gary Cotterill has got his hands on some new merchandise from the Real Madrid club shop... 👕⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rNr3eZwj5G— Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 8, 2026
I'd believe it if he got 10-15% of the votes. Riquelme got 35%. + Nothing concrete yet. So far, two uninspiring signings and a promise to send an offer. The rest is standard stuff in a RM summer.
I am not quite sure but very confident that you can have anything you want printed on it. The worst are adults that have their own names printed across the back, feels like something you do either when you're too young or way too old to care hahaha.
You're talking about a candidate that has let prices skyrocket, prevented access to the cheaper alternative (Castilla), is an institutional mess, and is pitching selling the club as part of his candidacy. Any halfway serious candidate beats Florentino. The fact that Florentino lost that many votes is on Florentino. The people quoted outside the polls that voted for Riquelme pretty much said they just wanted to vote Florentino out of office, and even people that voted for Florentino said they are not happy with him but it's still better than the alternative. To me, Raul not making a single public appearance with Riquelme while supposedly being a central figure said everything about his program. A serious candidate takes this to the wire.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid have RENEWED their record breaking deal with Emirates until 2031. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/9jwRGXc3Ax— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 9, 2026 🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho will be PRESENTED TOMORROW! @marca pic.twitter.com/JZyjjIiSaV— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 9, 2026 🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid will officially announce Alvaro Arbeloa's departure in the next few HOURS! @marca pic.twitter.com/Ppq1YcTPnZ— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 9, 2026
I actually think he did quite okay putting together any semblance of a challenge considering the short notice. Perhaps with a little more time he would’ve presented something more credible. It’s commendable that he didn’t hide when he got called out by Flo despite knowing that he had little to no chance of winning. 35% is nothing to be scoffed at for someone completely unknown going against a behemoth like Florentino, gotta say I was surprised. I think he’ll be back better prepared for the next elections. Anyway glad this circus is over.