Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has revealed that he would aim to replace Zinedine Zidane with Jurgen Klopp as Los Blancos manager.
Florentino Perez last week called on new presidential elections to be held as he seeks a fifth term as Madrid president.
"The President, after the board meeting held today, and in accordance with article 38 section B of the bylaws of Real Madrid C.F., has asked the Electoral Board to initiate the procedure for calling elections," reads the club's statement.
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Perez, who first became president in 2000, won the last three presidential elections -- 2009, 2013 and 2017 -- as the last two elections didn't feature a rival candidate.
But the 74-year-old Spaniard is expected to face a challenge this time around from Riquelme, who is the chairman and CEO of Cox Energy.
Riquelme told El Partidazo of COPE and Radio Marca that he personally likes Klopp and the Liverpool boss would be a potential replacement for Zidane.
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The 32-year-old businessman said: "Zidane would not be my coach.
"The Sports Directorate thinks of another profile with another strategy. I personally like Klopp a lot and Raul is doing very well. It would be to value him [...]."
Klopp, who is under contract with Liverpool until 2024, has been hailed for his impact at Anfield since 2015.
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The 53-year-old German head coach lifted the Champions League title with Liverpool in 2019 before securing the Premier League trophy last season.
Zidane, meanwhile, is currently in his second spell at Madrid after returning to the Spanish club in 2019.
The 48-year-old legendary Frenchman secured an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League titles during his first spell in charge.
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Zidane also lifted the La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup before he initially left his post as Madrid manager in 2018.
The Madrid boss, who is under contract until 2022, captured the league title and Spanish Super Cup last season.
Liverpool have travelled to Spain for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Madrid today.
When asked if he would regret the chance to not manage Madrid, Klopp told reporters: "Wow! If at the end of my career I had only three clubs, Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, then that's not too bad, eh? I would not regret it.
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"You asked if I would regret not managing Real Madrid, that is the question? I don't think so.
"But when I came off the plane today, I regret already that we don't live here, because the weather is so much better here!
"We were freezing, I have a gilet with me! You are blessed living here. We do it the hard way [in England]!"
Topics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, England, Zinedine Zidane, Jurgen Klopp, Spain, Real Madrid, La Liga
