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Baldasano wants Eriksson for Real

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MADRID, Spain -- England's Sven-Goran Eriksson will be made Real Madrid coach if Arturo Baldasano wins the club's presidential election on July 2.

"My team have spoken with Eriksson and he has given a commitment that if I win the election he will come and coach the team," Baldasano told Radio Marca on Tuesday, after presenting his bid.

"He's an important coach with the right kind of characteristics to do well, and build a great team."

Baldasano, a lawyer and an economist who participated in Madrid's 2004 election, also hopes to appoint former coach Vicente del Bosque as sports director and sign two Spanish internationals -- Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes and Real Betis' Joaquin Sanchez.

Pre-electoral pledges play an important role in Madrid's elections, which are normally held every four years.

Former president Florentino Perez won the 2000 poll largely on a promise to sign Luis Figo from FC Barcelona.

Another candidate, Juan Miguel Villar Mir, has said he is seeking to persuade Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger to take charge.

Other probable presidential candidates, who each must deposit guarantees of $52.2 million to participate, are former president Lorenzo Sanz, former board member Ramon Calderon and businessman Juan Palacios.

Calderon has promised to appoint Juventus' Fabio Capello and sign Brazil's Kaka from Milan if elected, while Palacios hopes to bring in Del Bosque as coach.

Martin replacement

The poll of about 65,000 members will select a replacement for Fernando Martin, who was forced to resign in April, two months after being selected by his predecessor, Perez.

Perez quit in February after 5 1/2 years, because of Madrid's failure to win a trophy since 2003. The last time the team went three years without a major honor was in the early 1950s.

As well as overseeing the appointment of a coach -- the club's sixth in three years -- Madrid's new president is also expected to restructure the player roster and decide on the futures of David Beckham, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

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