Real Madrid will have to say goodbye to yet another club legend this summer, after the club confirmed that Castilla coach Raúl González is leaving the club. Raúl has been linked with several clubs during his time as coach of the B team and has been close to a departure several times, but after six years he finally leaves Castilla.
The legendary striker returned to the club in the 2018/19 season to take over the U16 team, and after being set to lead the U19 the following year, he won the UEFA Youth League in his first months as coach. He was then promoted to take over Castilla and led the team in 209 games, but was unable to secure promotion to the Segunda División, despite several play-off finishes.
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The Real Madrid legend has always been on lists of possible Real Madrid managers in recent years.
Raúl’s departure was no surprise to Real Madrid
Raúl’s departure comes as no surprise, as several reports have claimed that he would leave the club this summer. U19 coach Álvaro Arbeloa is set to take over from him, while Julio Baptista will also return to the club to train in the youth department.
Real Madrid’s official statement was clear that it was Raúl himself who made the decision to leave, but the club stressed that he “will forever be in the heart of every Madridista, and Real Madrid will always be his home.”
What will be Raúl’s next step?
The big disappointment for Raúl came on Monday, when Xabi Alonso – who also coached in the youth department at Real Madrid – was presented as the new head coach of the first team, a job Raúl himself wanted. After being overlooked for the third time, it seems that he feels that his time at the club is over. Raúl continues to be linked with several clubs in Germany, most notably his former club Schalke 04, but it remains to be seen if he will leave Spain for the second time in his career.
In a statement on social media, Raúl thanked the club and its staff, noting that a “new phase” in his coaching career is beginning, adding, “One day I will return to the place that will forever be my home.”
Real Madrid confirm that Raul is leaving as youth coach at the club
Now it has been confirmed by Real Madrid. Raul has chosen to leave Real Madrid with immediate effect.
Last week, Spanish media wrote that Raul had lost faith that the job as head coach of Castilla, Real Madrid’s second team, could lead to a job in the first team.
Real Madrid now announce on their website that the 47-year-old Raul has informed the club that he is ending his role as coach in the youth department.
- For Real Madrid, it has been an honor to have one of the greatest legends in our history and in world football as a coach and developer in our youth department.
- Raul represents in an exemplary way all the values that characterize Real Madrid. Values that he has also conveyed as a coach.
- Raul will always have a place in the hearts of all madridistas, and Real Madrid will always be his home. Real Madrid wish Raul and his family all the best in this new phase of his life.
Arbeloa is expected to take over
His replacement is already believed to be in place. According to AS, former Real Madrid player Álvaro Arbeloa will take over the responsibility.
Raul has been part of Real Madrid’s youth department since 2018, and has been in charge of the Castilla team since 2019.
