Florentino Perez is on the brink of a return to the presidency of Real Madrid with no other candidates standing against him ahead of the deadline for applications of midnight (2200 GMT) on Sunday.
The three challengers who had been expected to oppose the construction magnate have all pulled out and if no other candidate steps forward Perez will be appointed president.
Architect of the “Galacticos” policy that brought the likes of Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham to the Bernabeu, Perez has promised to construct a spectacular sporting project but has yet to name any players or the coach he plans to bring in.
Spanish media have reported that Villarreal’s Manuel Pellegrini is the front runner for the coach’s role and Perez has been linked with players including Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery.