Real Madrid Presidential Candidate Targets Haaland as Guardiola Exits Manchester City
Madrid, 23 May 2026
Erling Haaland’s future at Manchester City hangs in the balance as Pep Guardiola prepares to leave the club, with Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme making the Norwegian striker a cornerstone of his election campaign. The timing proves crucial as City failed to win the Premier League title, finishing behind Arsenal. Riquelme has initiated direct talks with Haaland’s representatives, promising to make him the club’s star player alongside appointing Jürgen Klopp as manager. Despite Haaland signing a contract until 2034 in January, sources suggest he has asked his agent to explore a Madrid move, attracted by the prospect of playing at the Bernabéu under new management.
City’s Season Ends in Disappointment
Manchester City’s campaign concluded on a disappointing note when they drew 1-1 against Bournemouth on 19 May 2026, effectively ending their Premier League title hopes as Arsenal claimed the championship [2]. The result marked two consecutive seasons without a Premier League title for City, a drought that clearly weighs heavily on their star striker. Speaking to City Studios earlier this week, Haaland expressed his frustration candidly: “In the end, every game in the Premier League is difficult. We tried. It wasn’t enough. The whole Club should use this as motivation now. We should be angry, we should feel a fire inside our belly because it’s not good enough” [2]. His comments revealed the burning ambition that has driven him to score 162 goals in 198 appearances since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 [5].
Guardiola’s Departure Triggers Transfer Speculation
The confirmation of Pep Guardiola’s departure at the season’s end has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with Enzo Maresca reportedly set to fill the managerial void [2][5]. Sources suggest that Haaland is ready to leave Manchester City specifically due to Guardiola’s exit, with the striker asking his agent to explore possibilities at Real Madrid [2]. This development comes despite Haaland signing what was described as a “virtually lifetime contract” in January 2026, extending his stay until 2034 [2][5]. However, the contract reportedly includes a release clause, providing a potential pathway for interested clubs [2]. The timing proves significant as influential figures at Madrid believe that potential managerial changes, including the possible arrival of José Mourinho, could facilitate Haaland’s transfer in future windows [5].
Riquelme’s Bold Presidential Campaign
Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme has made his intentions crystal clear, positioning Haaland and Jürgen Klopp as the twin pillars of his election campaign [6]. On 20 May 2026, reports emerged that Riquelme had initiated direct discussions with the agents of both Haaland and Klopp, presenting a sporting project where Haaland would serve as the team’s star player under Klopp’s management [6]. Speaking after a Cox Group shareholders’ meeting, Riquelme emphasised his commitment to bringing elite talent to the Bernabéu: “The best players have to be at Real Madrid, they always have been. It’s the biggest club in the world” [7]. His candidacy represents the first serious electoral challenge in two decades, aimed at what he describes as restoring values that “have deteriorated in recent years” [7].
Manchester City’s Defensive Strategy
Despite the mounting speculation, Manchester City remain determined that Haaland will not leave following Guardiola’s departure, even as both Barcelona and Real Madrid continue working on potential transfer scenarios [5]. City sources insist that Guardiola’s exit should not signal Haaland’s departure, with incoming manager Enzo Maresca reportedly intending to build his team around the Norwegian striker [5]. The club’s confidence stems partly from Haaland’s awareness that Guardiola would not remain indefinitely when he signed his contract extension earlier in 2026 [5]. However, City acknowledges the long-term threat posed by Spanish giants, with sources expecting 2027 as a realistic timeframe for clubs to aggressively pursue Haaland [5]. Barcelona views the striker as a marquee signing for their rebuilt Nou Camp, expected to reach full completion in 2027 [5]. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s interest extends beyond Haaland to include several City players, with the club reportedly targeting Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Joško Gvardiol, and Bernardo Silva in the wake of Guardiola’s exit [3].