Perez, 70, has been president at the Bernabeu for a total of 14 years over two terms in office, and his position currently looks stronger than ever following Zinedine Zidane's side's recent capturing of the club's first La Liga and European Cup double since 1958.

Incremental changes to the club's statutes made since Perez returned to the job in 2009 also mean that all would-be candidates for the role must have been Real socios (members) for at least 20 years and have a personal guarantee of over €75 million from a Spanish bank.

Such strictures helped Perez to be re-elected unopposed in 2013, and have been legally challenged by socios groups, although last January a low-level court ruled in favour of the current regime's right to set the rules.

At last October's Madrid AGM, critics of a lack of open democracy within the club were again ignored by lifelong fan Perez, who has often said he sees himself as the ideal person to safeguard the future of an institution which is owned and controlled by its members.

With the current board's term officially ending this summer, the club have now moved ahead as mandated and opened a nine day window during which candidates can come forward. Perez is expected to put his name forward, and an election date will then be set for later in the summer if any challenger emerges.