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Enrique Riquelme has revealed that Real Madrid icons Raúl González, Fernando Hierro, Iker Casillas and Vicente Del Bosque will be part of his team if he wins this weekend's presidential election.
The 37-year-old clean energy businessman has mounted an ambitious campaign since declaring his candidacy at the close of last month, as he looks to dethrone Florentino Pérez.
Riquelme has put forward a series of sweeping promises, including constructing a 'Members City' at the club's Valdebebas training ground and reducing membership costs. On the football front, he turned heads and sparked debate with his pledge to bring in Manchester City stars Rodri and Erling Haaland—a commitment he made on prime-time Spanish television on Wednesday evening.
While he has yet to name his managerial pick, should he triumph in the vote on Sunday, June 7, Riquelme has confirmed that several key positions will be handed to club legends.
Riquelme's Lineup of Legends
Raúl González
Earlier in the week, Riquelme first unveiled Real Madrid's all-time record appearance holder Raúl as his intended sporting director.
Riquelme stated: "I already have a sporting director, and he's Spanish. We've agreed on the signings with him and the coach. If I win the elections, Raúl González Blanco will be Real Madrid's sporting director.
"There needs to be a culture of professionals who would never do anything to hurt Real Madrid. I laid out the project to him, and the more I get to know him, the more convinced I am that he's someone who will always put Real Madrid's interests first."
The 48-year-old Raúl famously made over 700 appearances for Real Madrid, netting 323 goals, while claiming three Champions League titles and six La Liga crowns.
The pairing of player and role carries particular significance, given Pérez's resistance to naming a sporting director in recent years and Raúl's departure from the club under difficult circumstances last summer.
Fernando Hierro
Not satisfied with strengthening his ticket with just one club legend, Riquelme followed up with a statement announcing that former defender Fernando Hierro would be appointed to lead the academy.
He said: "La Fábrica needs more than just talent. It needs leadership, high standards, and a true Madridista spirit.
"Fernando Hierro comes on board as Director of La Fábrica to help shape a youth academy built on structure, values and the drive to compete at the first team level. We continue to restore the identity that made Real Madrid great. And we continue building the Madrid of the future."
Iker Casillas
On Thursday, Riquelme brought Iker Casillas into his off-field setup—though he stopped short of specifying what role the former shot-stopper would take on.
"The legendary goalkeeper will hold a high-profile position within the club's structure," he announced.
Casillas, notably, has been outspoken of late regarding his opposition to José Mourinho's potential return as manager, writing, "I don't want him at Real Madrid," in a post on X.
The three former professionals—collectively boasting more than 2,000 first-team appearances for Real Madrid—make up what Riquelme has called his "trio of captains."
With Pérez having secured endorsements from club legends in recent days, aligning three all-time greats with his ticket will be viewed as a major coup for Riquelme.
Vicente del Bosque
Speaking on Cadena COPE (via AS), Riquelme added yet another distinguished name to his campaign in Vicente del Bosque—a two-time Champions League-winning manager and former player with more than 300 appearances to his name.
"He will be part of our project in a completely selfless way, solely for the benefit of Real Madrid," Riquelme said, without elaborating on the specific role he had in mind.
Signs Point to Klopp for Manager
Seemingly, the only piece still absent from Riquelme's proposed structure is the manager.
He has consistently insisted he will not follow Pérez's lead in appointing Mourinho, while hinting that he has already identified another unnamed candidate.
Despite his bold pledges on Rodri and Haaland, Riquelme has stayed tight-lipped on his managerial preference, though speculation has pointed toward Red Bull's head of soccer Jürgen Klopp—something he has not denied.
When asked directly about the former Liverpool boss on COPE, Riquelme teased: "Just as I can confidently confirm certain names, I have to be more careful with coaches. Klopp is a great coach, but I can't confirm anything. I've never sat down with Klopp, or any other coach. That's the responsibility of the sporting department."