Florentino Could Be Real Madrid President In May; Targets Pellegrini

Real Madrid’s provisional president, Vicente Boluda, confirmed last Sunday that the club’s upcoming elections will take place either on June 7 or June 15. But there’s a strong possibility that leading potential candidate, Florentino Perez, could be back in the ‘White House’ as early as May.

According to the Barcelona-based daily, Sport, all candidates who wish to run must be able to provide and guarantee at least 15 per cent of the club’s budget for next season, which was approved at €350 million during the weekend General Assembly. This equates to at least €52.5 million each, an amount that will be of no issue to Perez.

But should his three possible opponents, Juan Onieva, Eugenio Martinez Bravo and Eduardo Garcia, fail to meet the minimum financial requirements during these times of economic turmoil, they will have to drop out of the race and leave Florentino as the sole candidate.

And if that happens, he will be declared, by default, as the new president in May, which is reportedly when Boluda will decide precisely when in June the elections will be held.

While Martinez Bravo has reportedly hand-picked Michel to become the new team coach should he win, AS now believes that Perez’s future right-hand man, Jorge Valdano, is targeting Villarreal’s Manuel Pellegrini, if they fail to secure the services of Carlo Ancelotti.

The Milan boss remains the favourite but with constant reports coming out of Italy that he is keen on staying with the Rossoneri, and rumours that Chelsea are also after his signature, Pellegrini has emerged as Valdano’s back-up plan.

KS Leong, Goal.com