‘I have an agreement with two international stars’ – Real Madrid presidential candidate talks transfer plans, Mourinho, Klopp and more | OneFootball

With the presidential elections at Real Madrid approaching, the political atmosphere around the club is becoming increasingly intense. 

One of the main presidential candidates, Enrique Riquelme, has now made several major statements about the club’s future, including transfer plans, the managerial situation, and even the controversial Negreira case.

In an interview with ABC, Riquelme appeared determined to present himself as a candidate capable of leading a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

While much of the attention around the club remains focused on the possible return of Jose Mourinho, the businessman instead shifted focus towards a long-term sporting project.

Riquelme promises two stars

One of the strongest claims made during the interview involved potential transfer business. 

Riquelme confidently revealed that preparations are already underway behind the scenes if he wins the elections. While discussing his plans for the squad, he stated,

“We have signed two international stars. I have an agreement whereby, if I am president, two major international stars will play for Real Madrid.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ABC (@abc_diario)

“Two stars who are essential for the short-, medium- and long-term sporting project. We will probably announce it within the next fortnight,” he added.

In that regard, it must be noted that Riquelme’s representatives have reportedly held talks with Erling Haaland.

On Mourinho’s arrival

Riquelme was also asked about Mourinho, whose return to the Bernabeu is reportedly being prepared by Florentino Perez. 

While he avoided directly criticising the Portuguese manager, he made it clear that his vision revolves around stability and long-term planning.

“I have never been a Mourinho supporter or an anti-Mourinho supporter. I have been and am a Real Madrid supporter,” he said. 

“If I am president, we will assess him, but we are looking to create a long-term project. There will be time to talk about managers later,” he noted.

Riquelme also acknowledged Mourinho’s achievements in football while suggesting that Real Madrid now need a different kind of direction moving forward.

He said Mourinho “is a great manager who has achieved many successes and has a distinctive style of managing the dressing room. So at some point he may be good, or not, for a particular club. 

“But in our case, I believe that Real Madrid needs a project for the future, not a short-term one as a quick fix for the current situation, but to completely change course with a medium- and long-term project.”

Rather, the Spanish businessman reserved his praise for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“I love Klopp. I already said that in 2021. He’s a good manager and a good coach, but there are other managers I like too, not just Klopp. 

“Besides, Klopp is now working for Red Bull. We’ll see what happens in the coming days, but obviously he’s the sort of person I’d love to see coaching Real Madrid, sooner or later.” 

On Alonso and Arbeloa

The presidential candidate also shared his thoughts on the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, making it clear that he disagreed with how quickly the project ended.

Riquelme is not in favour of Mourinho. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

While speaking about the former midfielder, Riquelme admitted, “I don’t know Xabi personally, but he strikes me as a great professional. 

“As a player, he was a legend, and as Leverkusen’s manager, I think what he achieved was historic. 

“It was the right decision to bring him in and a mistake to sack him, but you can’t build a project in three months.”

He also questioned the decision to replace Alonso with Alvaro Arbeloa midway through the season, suggesting the move may have come too early.

“Perhaps he wasn’t the right man for the job at this moment. Look, perhaps he’ll become the best manager in the world and I wish him all the best because he was a great Madrid player. 

“I know he’s a great person and professional, and it’s true he’s also had very little time. 

“But I think Real Madrid needs, for this phase at least, managers who are role models and who are respected,” he emphasised.

The Negreira controversy

Finally, Riquelme also addressed the long-running Negreira controversy involving Barcelona, criticising how the situation had been handled from the beginning.

Regarding the matter, he recalled, “In 2024, at the delegates’ general meeting, it was said that a strong Barça was needed, and the Negreira affair was already known at that point. 

“At the time, there were interests at play to ensure nothing came of the Negreira case, and once Barça ceased to be a member of the Super League, that is when interest in the Negreira case began. 

“Probably, the reason why absolutely nothing has happened to Barcelona regarding the Negreira case is that we didn’t start with a proper strategy to counter it from the outset. 

“If we had, the outcome would have been different,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo