Florentino Perez’s potential rival for Real Madrid presidency holds talks with Jurgen Klopp – report | OneFootball

The political storm surrounding Real Madrid continues to intensify, and now one of the biggest names in world football has entered the conversation.

According to fresh reports from El Confidential, presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme is already working on an ambitious sporting project that includes bringing Jurgen Klopp to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The businessman is believed to view Klopp as the ideal figure to lead a new era at Real Madrid following a disappointing campaign in which the club struggled to compete consistently against Barcelona and their energetic young squad.

Reports suggest Riquelme has already held direct meetings with people close to Klopp in recent months as he explored the possibility of convincing the German coach to become the face of a potential new Madrid project.

Different ideology than Perez

Within Riquelme’s camp, Klopp is seen as the perfect profile to reconnect the squad with supporters and rebuild the team after a difficult season. 

His leadership style, charisma and attacking football are all viewed as qualities capable of changing the atmosphere around the club.

The move would also represent a completely different direction compared to the project associated with Florentino Perez.

Riquelme has established contacts with Jurgen Klopp. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

While Perez continues to be linked with Jose Mourinho as a possible solution for the bench, Riquelme prefers a more modern and long-term approach centred around Klopp.

Riquelme is convinced

Within his circle, the German coach is considered the complete opposite profile to Mourinho, a manager capable of rebuilding morale while also developing a fresh football identity.

For now, though, Klopp has not given any response to the interest, and one of the reasons is that Riquelme’s candidacy had not officially existed until Real Madrid unexpectedly announced presidential elections earlier this week.

That sudden decision from Perez appears to have accelerated everything.

Real Madrid have officially opened the electoral process for the presidency, with applications allowed between May 14 and May 23, 2026. 

The surprise timing of the elections has forced Riquelme to rapidly reorganise his plans.

The businessman is now understood to be working to gather enough support for a serious candidacy capable of challenging Perez’s long-standing control over the club.