Kolkata, April 1 (IANS): European Club Association (ECA) chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes FIFA president Sepp Blatter is "ready to change" if he is re-elected to helm football's world governing body.

Rummenigge also said the president was upset with the barrage of criticism he has had to face in the recent past on a range of issues.

The 59-year-old former West Germany international striker also believes FIFA is changing "in a good way".

"In discussions we've had I always had the impression he (Blatter) was a bit upset about the fact he is criticised by the media as a whole," Rummenigge was quoted as saying by bbc.com on Wednesday.

"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 79-year-old Blatter is seeking a fifth consecutive term as FIFA president even though he faces tough competition from three rival candidates - formr footballer Luis Figo, chairman of Dutch Football Association Michael van Praag and FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan - in this year's presidential election.