Florentino Perez pledges Jose Mourinho return as Real Madrid election race heats up

Perez, who is campaigning for another term at the helm of the Spanish powerhouse, has confirmed that Mourinho would be his choice to take charge of the first team once again.

The Portuguese manager previously led the club from 2010 to 2013, enjoying a successful spell that included guiding Los Blancos to a record-breaking La Liga points total in 2012.

The pledge was revealed as Perez's rival, Enrique Riquelme, was appearing on the Spanish television programme El Hormiguero. Riquelme made it clear that Mourinho would not be part of his plans should he win the vote.

Instead, he stated that his first major signing would be Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder who also serves as captain of the Spain national team.

The upcoming ballot represents a landmark moment for Real Madrid, as it is the club's first contested presidential election in 20 years.

Perez, who currently occupies the presidency, is seeking to extend his tenure but faces a challenge from the renewable-energy entrepreneur in a campaign that has generated significant attention among supporters.

A victory for Perez would pave the way for Mourinho's return to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where he previously enjoyed considerable success.