Real Madrid News
‘Have nothing personal against Florentino’ – La Liga president speaks on Real Madrid presidential elections
It appears that Florentino Perez may not be uncontested after all in the elections that he announced last week, for Enrique Riquelme is keen on running for office.
The Spanish businessman must present his candidacy in the coming days, but all signs point to it happening, as he hopes to overthrow Perez’s long-standing reign as Real Madrid president.
In fact, he has even demanded two debates with the current president to potentially expose the loopholes in his term and make a case for his own candidacy.
Tebas’ interview
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, La Liga president Javier Tebas was asked about Perez’s potential competitor and what he knew of Riquelme, to which he responded neutrally.
“Enrique Riquelme? If I say I know him, that would be bad, so I’d rather not say anything,” he began.
He then spoke on the surprise elections in Madrid and what he made of Perez’s sudden announcement.
“I believe that if there are elections at Real Madrid, that would be good, and if not, it means no one has been able to offer an alternative to the current president.”
Speaking on whether or not Real Madrid require a change in direction, leadership and presidency, Tebas said,
“Whether Real Madrid needs a generational change in the presidency is something that its socios will have to decide.”
It is a well-known fact that Tebas and Perez do not see eye to eye, and the La Liga president outlined the complicated relationship he shares with Real Madrid’s current president.
“I have nothing personal against Florentino Perez, we just have a totally opposed way of seeing football.”
“Real Madrid believes that it should earn more from television rights because it says that it cannot compete with the Premier League clubs, when that is not the case,” he added.
Perez is motivated
While Perez is indeed not accustomed to being contested in elections, the upcoming challenge excites him more than it frightens him.
The 79-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down and is reportedly pumped ahead of the big fight that is coming up. He knows he has nothing to lose and that the large section of support remains with him.
What is clear, however, is that the current situation that the first team find themselves in represents one of the club’s lowest points, and Perez will not have it easy to turn it around.
Source: MARCA
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
