By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Spain, May 12, 2026 - Florentino Pérez has publicly dismissed speculation surrounding his future at Real Madrid after calling a surprise emergency press conference in Madrid, insisting he has no intention of stepping down despite growing criticism surrounding the club’s turbulent season.
“I am not going to resign,” Pérez declared during a fiery appearance before the media on Tuesday evening, directly addressing reports that his position at the club had become uncertain following Real Madrid’s disappointing campaign and recent internal instability.
Instead of announcing his departure, Pérez revealed that he is calling early presidential elections at the club, despite his current mandate officially running until 2029. The unexpected decision has sent shockwaves through Spanish football and intensified debate around the direction of Real Madrid after one of the most chaotic seasons of Pérez’s modern presidency.
The dramatic press conference came only days after Real Madrid lost 2–0 to Barcelona in El Clásico, a result that officially handed the La Liga title to their fiercest rivals. That defeat deepened frustration among supporters and increased scrutiny around the club’s management, recruitment decisions, and overall sporting direction.
Rumors surrounding Pérez’s future had accelerated throughout the day after Real Madrid unexpectedly announced an emergency board meeting followed by a press conference at Ciudad Real Madrid. Spanish media immediately speculated that the 79-year-old president could be preparing to resign or step away from the club following mounting pressure from supporters and sections of the media.
But Pérez arrived in combative mood.
According to reports from multiple outlets, the longtime Madrid president strongly criticized sections of the Spanish media during the press conference and accused journalists of attempting to destabilize the club. At one point, he reportedly stated that “journalists don’t run things here,” while defending both his leadership and the club’s long-term project.
He also rejected claims suggesting health concerns or fatigue were influencing his decision-making.
“I am here. I am in perfect health,” Pérez reportedly said while emphasizing that he remains fully committed to leading the club forward.
The decision to call elections early is especially significant because Pérez had only recently been re-elected as Real Madrid president until 2029. Under normal circumstances, there would have been no immediate need for another electoral process.
Many observers believe the move is an attempt to publicly reinforce his authority and silence growing criticism after a season that has exposed serious tensions inside the club.
Real Madrid’s campaign has been overshadowed by instability both on and off the pitch. The club failed to retain La Liga, struggled in Europe, and faced ongoing controversy surrounding the squad and coaching situation. Reports from Spain have also described growing dressing-room tensions involving several senior players.
Managerial instability has added further pressure.
More from Kenya
Recent reports suggested that Xabi Alonso’s departure as coach was not entirely mutual despite official club statements claiming otherwise. According to Managing Madrid, support for Alonso inside the boardroom had significantly weakened after poor performances and tactical disagreements, particularly following the recent Clásico defeat.
At the same time, speculation continues surrounding a possible return for José Mourinho, with several Spanish outlets reporting that Pérez remains interested in bringing the former Real Madrid coach back to the Santiago Bernabéu.
The pressure surrounding Pérez is particularly notable given his extraordinary legacy at the club.
Since first becoming president in 2000, Pérez has overseen one of the most successful eras in Real Madrid history. Under his leadership, the club has won multiple UEFA Champions League titles, dominated financially, modernized the Santiago Bernabéu, and established itself as arguably the most commercially powerful football institution in the world.
He is widely credited for creating both the original “Galácticos” era featuring players such as Luís Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham, as well as the more recent generation that delivered unprecedented Champions League success.
However, Pérez’s leadership has also regularly divided opinion.
Critics have accused him of prioritizing commercial strategy over football decisions, while others believe the club’s current imbalance between attacking stars and defensive structure reflects years of flawed squad planning. Recent scrutiny surrounding Kylian Mbappé’s difficult first season and ongoing dressing-room issues has only intensified those debates.
Despite the criticism, Pérez made it clear during the press conference that he has no intention of walking away quietly.
Instead, he appears determined to confront the unrest directly by seeking renewed backing through elections while continuing to reshape the club ahead of next season.
For Real Madrid, the coming weeks could now become even more significant off the pitch than on it.
A disappointing season.
A furious president.
And now, unexpected elections at the biggest club in world football.