Real may ring changes if Perez takes over prez

May 4, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Former Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is likely to win re-election to his former post if, as local media reported Monday, he announces his official candidacy in around 10 days’ time.

Perez, the president of Real between 2000 and 2006 when the team became known as the ‘Galacticos’ thanks to the presence of players like Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, is expected to put his candidacy forward on May 14.

So far the hugely successful businessman has avoided making any announcements ahead of the club’s June 14 elections, although circumstances on the pitch mean that for the media Perez’s re-election is a formality.

Real, the reigning Spanish champions, are still reeling from Saturday’s humiliating 6-2 defeat at home to arch rivals Barcelona, who are now seven points ahead of second-placed Real with four games remaining.

Both of Spain’s two big sport dailies, Marca and AS, on Monday highlighted a list of changes Perez’s arrival would prompt at Real, chief among them, for Marca, being the signing of Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian Kaka and Spanish duo Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso.

AS added to that list Spaniards David Villa and David Silva, as well as Bayern Munich’s talismanic French midfielder Franck Ribery.

Both papers are so sure of Perez’s re-election that they have already named his right-hand man, in the shap of Argentine Jorge Valdano, a former sports director at the club. Zidane, say the papers, would also play a key role.

AS suggested Perez would look to lure AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to the club,

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