European Club Association chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is confident that Sepp Blatter is "ready to change" in order to secure a fifth term as FIFA president.
The 79-year-old will come up against Luis Figo, Michael van Praag and Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in this year's election, as he seeks another spell in the hot seat.
Despite his dwindling image, Blatter is the strong favourite to triumph next month, and Rummenigge believes that football's world governing body will only improve its own image over time.
"In discussions we've had I always had the impression [Blatter] was a bit upset about the fact he is criticised by the media as a whole," he told BBC Sport. "He's ready to change. So I'm not so pessimistic about him. I'm quite optimistic that in FIFA things are changing in a good way."
The comments mark a strong U-turn for Rummenigge, who has previously called for a "revolution" against FIFA until vast changes were made to the organisation.
Daniel Lewis
