THE REAL IDENTITY?
by Clinton Ooi

There is no other club which encapsulates and embodies the world game other than Real Madrid. Voted FIFA Club of Century having 42.35% of the total votes, everything they do in the country is covered by fanatic Marca. Internationally if you ask a non-football follower to name one football club, it is more than likely Madrid would be that club.

So comes the time for the most important period for the 'World's Club'. A vital decision to be made in the next few days will decide the future of the Real Madrid.

No it's not the announcement of Madrid's next big signing...

...It's the election of the next Real Madrid President.

The election will appoint a replacement for Fernando Martin, who was ousted in April, two months after replacing his predecessor, Florentino Perez. Perez, who was at the helm for 5 years, quit in February due to Madrid's failure to win a trophy since 2003.

The five candidates (armed with a slogan) in the running to bring a the glory days back to the Bernebau are:

• Juan Miguel Villar Mir - Fighting spirit and hunger for victory - A vice-president under Ramon Mendoza, Villa Mir plans to appoint Carlos Sainz, former rally champion, as his vice-president and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) as General Manager/Coach. He has also spoken about signing Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd), Cesc Fabregas & Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal).



• Arturo Baldasano - Bring back the excitement - An independent candidate who last stood unsuccessfully against Florentino Perez in 2004. Baldasano says he has an agreement with outgoing England coach, Sven Goran Eriksson to fill the coaching position while appointing former manager, Vicente Del Bosque as sports director and former Real player Uli Stielike to support him. He has hinted to bring in Joaquin (Real Betis), Mahamadou Diarra (Lyon), Reyes & Fabregas (Arsenal).


• Ramon Calderon - Follow your instincts - The 55-year-old lawyer is the youngest candidate and has been a board member for the last four years. He has vitally promised not to interfere not to interfere with the signing of players. Calderon wants to Bring back Fabio Capello as coach and former player Pedrag Mijatovic as Sporting Director. Arjen Robben (Chelsea) and Kaka (AC Milan) have been penned as possible arrivals.


• Lorenzo Sanz - And now let's talk about football - Former president for five years where Madrid won two Champion League titles and a La Liga title, Sanz was defeated by Perez in 2004. He promises to make success on the field his main objective and to bring a stable financial state to the club. He has an agreement to bring back Vicente del Bosque to coach and possibly sign Gianluca Zambrotta and Emerton (Juventus), Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburg), Franck Ribery (Marseille) and Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspurs).


• Juan Palacios - What would you like to win? - Vice-president under Sanz he plans to bring back Jose Antonio Camacho as sports director and Del Bosque as coach. He has the novel but contreversial idea of sponsoring Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso. Palacios plans to sign Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Zambrotta (Juventus).

The Real Madrid Presidential Election seems to garner more interest from the international public than the appointment of the head of the white house.

Based on the facts above, Sanz seems to have the best plan for success. Focusing on bringing stability of the club and concentrating on success on the field instead of big name signings could be just what Real need. However, his bad history late in his last term in charge could work against him.

Palacios creative approach involving Madrid fan Alonso is counterproductive and even more detracting from the club's much needed on field concentration. Baldasano's mention of Eriksson would not do him much good with England's underperformance during his tenure so that leaves Calderon and Villa Mir who seem to have best mix of potential management and playing staff. Policy-wise though, Calderon did vitally say he will not

So only time will tell how won over the 80,000 Madrid supporters are and it is their vital decision which will determine the next chapter of this illustrious club. More Galacticos or rore trophies? What will be the Real identity?