Florentino Perez has called a sensational presidential election at Real Madrid after the club endured a trophyless campaign.
Real have struggled to compete on all fronts this term, losing out on the La Liga title to Barcelona in their El Clasico defeat last weekend.
They were also beaten in the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich.
Xabi Alonso did not last his full first term in-post, as the former midfielder departed in January.
Reports detailed that Alonso, who left Bayer Leverkusen to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu, had had an argument with star striker Kylian Mbappe about tactics as well as a disagreement with Perez before he was given his marching orders.
He was replaced in the dugout by Alvaro Arbeloa, his former Liverpool team-mate, who had been promoted from managing Madrid’s B side.
Arbeloa has struggled as a result, leading Real to a distant second place in the La Liga title race and a premature European exit.
Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with a sensational return to the Spanish capital, and it was expected that Perez would confirm the deal in a press conference he called on Tuesday evening.
Instead, the Real president announced that he would be opening up another election round for his current position.
“At Real Madrid, there isn’t just one owner,” he said.
“It’s the 1,000 members who make up the club. I’ve made this decision because an absurd situation has been created, provoked by campaigns against the interests of Real Madrid and against me.
“The results haven’t been the best, but in sports, you don’t always win. They’re taking advantage of the situation to attack me personally.
“They say, ‘Where’s Florentino?’ I don’t usually speak out. Some have even told me I have terminal cancer.
“I want to take this opportunity to let those who have been concerned about me know that I’m still president of Real Madrid and my company, and that my health is perfect.
“I couldn’t be in both places if my health weren’t perfect. If I had cancer, as has been said, I’d have to go to a cancer center. If I were, wouldn’t it have been all over the world?”
Perez cut a particularly spiky figure when he faced the media’s questions, and he snapped back when asked about a new managerial appointment.
“I am not here today to comment on this,” he replied.
Perez, now 79 years old, has been in position as Madrid’s president since 2009. He oversaw the ‘Galactico’ signings of Karim Benzema, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo that summer.
The Spaniard did indicate that he would be willing to step aside - but only if he was to be beaten in the elections.
“I will leave when someone wins the election against me,” he said.
Perez most recently retained office last year, when he was confirmed to resume his position until 2029.
In recent elections, he has stood unchallenged.
