Enrique Riquelme, the businessman looking to succeed Florentino Perez as Real Madrid president, would not have Zinedine Zidane as his head coach.
He feels the sporting side of the club needs to look for a different style of coach, and mentioned Liverpool‘s Jurgen Klopp as a candidate he’d like.
“Zidane would not be my coach,” he told COPE and Radio MARCA.
“The sporting management would look at another profile with a different strategy.
“I personally like Klopp a lot and Raul is doing very well. It would be evaluated.”
Riquelme also discussed the possibility of signing Erling Haaland, and admits to holding talks with Mino Raiola.
“My potential sporting general manager spoke with Mino Raiola on Wednesday. We just asked about Haaland’s situation and Raiola informed us,” he said.
“They are going to bring in a very interesting fee for Dortmund. He is interested in keeping him for one more year [at Dortmund] and they are going to get a good price.
“Raiola didn’t ask us for 20 million euros for him and another 20 for his father.”
Riquelme feels the time of the next elections is not correct.
“Unpredictably, Florentino Perez has called elections in the middle of the season. Who was not surprised? The week we play against Liverpool and are about to play against Barcelona,” he said.
“And even more so in a year like this, with a pandemic in full swing.
“I could expect many things, but I never expected such a move. Just before taking off, they asked me what Florentino could do to hurt me and I said: “If someone wants to do something harmful, it would be to call elections.”
“And when I landed in Mexico they were called . The movement has not only been against me, but other candidates too. It is a move [that goes] against the member.
“No one has voted for 20 years. As soon as my name starts doing the rounds, two days later he calls elections.”
“If the elections had been in June, 100 percent I would have been a candidate. We even looked at what would happen if the elections were brought forward and I said: ‘It’s impossible, it would be too cowardly.’
“I would love to put my name forward, but unfortunately I think it’s very complicated because of the times.”
On Sergio Ramos‘ situation, Riquelme believes he is worth a new deal.
“It depends. He is a great player, a Madridista, with the values of Real Madrid and in great form.
“Why not? Earning what he earns now, I would renew him.”
