Fernando Hierro could head Real Madrid Academy if Riquelme wins presidency. Enrique Riquelme has reached an agreement with Fernando Hierro regarding his potential role in managing the Real Madrid Academy, should Riquelme become club president. The candidate promises reforms and a crackdown on nepotism. This move could signal a new approach to developing young talent.
Interest is growing in Madrid ahead of the upcoming Real Madrid presidential elections. Candidate Enrique Riquelme has announced a fundamental agreement with Fernando Hierro: if elected, Hierro will become director of the Valdebebas sports complex and be responsible for the entire club academy structure. Riquelme revealed this in an interview with the newspaper EL MUNDO, which will be published on Thursday.
According to Riquelme, the club needs a leader who not only understands the inner workings but also holds authority among young players and coaches. He emphasized that Hierro is a figure capable of introducing modern methods and putting an end to the practice of promoting players through personal connections and the influence of intermediaries. The candidate insists the academy should operate on the principle of strict competition, not on friendly arrangements between coaches and agents.
Fernando Hierro is one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid's history. Over 14 seasons, he played 601 matches, scored 127 goals, and won three Champions League titles, five Spanish championships, two Intercontinental Cups, and one UEFA Super Cup. His departure from the club in 2003 was marked by a conflict with then president Florentino Pérez, which became one of the most discussed topics at the time.
After retiring, Hierro worked as sporting director of the Spanish Football Federation during its most successful period, served as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in the 2014/15 season, coached Oviedo, and led the Spanish national team at the 2018 World Cup after Julen Lopetegui’s emergency resignation. In recent years, he held the post of sporting director at Mexican side Guadalajara and is now working at the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
If appointed, Hierro will work within the structure Riquelme plans to build around Raúl González—his candidate for the post of sporting director. According to Riquelme, this tandem will help renew the approach to youth development and increase transparency in the academy’s selection process.
The issue of reforming football structures and fighting nepotism is not new to Spanish sports. In similar situations, as noted in the article about contract investigations in Catalonia, attention to transparency and integrity in management becomes a key factor in trust towards the leadership.
For reference: Valdebebas is Real Madrid’s largest sports complex, where both the first team and all youth squads train. The club’s academy is considered one of the most prestigious in Europe but has recently faced criticism for its lack of openness and the influence of personal connections on player advancement. If Riquelme wins and Hierro is appointed, significant changes may occur in the academy’s selection and youth development system.
