Florentino Perez insists the pampering of ‘galacticos’ at Real Madrid must cease if the club are to achieve their sporting ambitions.
Perez, who stepped down as president of the club yesterday after almost six years in the post, admitted that things need to change at the club, which has failed to win a trophy since 2003.
"We have designed a squad which combines the world’s best players. Maybe I have spoiled them and that lies at the root of their confusion. I want them to understand that the only thing that is important is Real Madrid," said Perez, who accepted full responsibility for Real’s current predicament.
He added: "I am sure I have committed a lot of mistakes. That’s why I think that a change in the club’s presidency will be positive and it will get a few of the players unstuck."
Perez was elected Real Madrid president in 2000 on the back of a promise to rescue the club from financial meltdown and at the same time sign the world's best players.
Six years on, Real Madrid tops football's rich list as a result of the club's brilliant marketing campaigns and the arrival of star players such as Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.
However, despite having a squad that would be the envy of rival clubs, Real look set to miss out on a trophy once again this season .Real are out of the Copa del Rey, trail Arsenal after the home leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and are 10 points leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
Perez has employed six different coaches in as many years in a bid to find a successful formula, but concedes the team are still not fulfilling its massive potential.
"The club needs a wake-up call from a sporting point of view. We are not enjoying our best patch, but I still think there is a chance to do something big this season." Perez said.
The man charged with taking Real into a new era is Fernando Martin, who was unanimously elected as the new president following Perez’s departure.
Martin was a part of Perez’s first and second bids to become Real president — losing in 1995 before winning in 2000 — and Perez is confident he is the right man to take the club forward.
