Raul Gonzalez was taken as manager of the B-team of Real Madrid, only a few days after the club confirmed that Xabi Alonso will replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season.
The departure ends a seven -year trip for Raul in the youth arrangement of the club, where he rose through the ranks after the start of his coaching career in 2018 with Cadete B, the Madrid team under 15.
He was soon promoted to manage the B-team, known as Castilla, although he also led the under-19 side of the club to UEFA Youth League Glory in 2020.
Raul, who scored 323 goals between 1994 and 2010 in 741 performances for Madrid, confirmed his decision to move via a personal statement on Instagram.
The 47-year-old wrote: 'From today I have informed Real Madrid of my decision to end my time to end the club.
'It has been seven seasons in which I enjoyed the great passion I had for football since I was a child. I am sure that these years have helped me to grow both as a professional and as a person.
'I thank the club of my life for the chance it gave me these years.
'And I want to express my thanks to all employees of this institution and to anyone who is part of Real Madrid, because they have all shown me support and affection and have helped me to fulfill one of the most beautiful roles in this sport: share my experience and knowledge with the younger players, they see growing as people and as athletes.
'I will proudly enjoy the successes that are achieved by each of the boys I have coached, and they all take my affection and gratitude for everything I have experienced.
'A new chapter in my life now starts from this club, with the reassurance that one day I will return to what has always been my home.
'Thank you all. Hala Madrid! '
An official club statement then added: 'Real Madrid CF announces that Raul has informed the club about his decision to end his time as a coach of our youth team.
'It has been a source of pride for Real Madrid to have one of the greatest legends in our history and in world football as our coach and trainer of our youth system.
'Raul also represents an example of all the values of Real Madrid. These values that he also taught as a coach: he managed the Cadete B and Juvenil B teams during the 2018-2019 season. Since then he has been the Castilla coach. In addition, he managed the Juvenil A team in August 2020, with which he won the Youth League.
'Raul will always be in the hearts of all Real Madrid fans, and Real Madrid will always be his home.
“Real Madrid wishes Raul and his family the very best in this new phase of his life.”
According to As, Raul's exit was driven by his frustration because he was overlooked for a higher role – first in 2021 when Zinedine Zidane left, and now again with the appointment of Alonso.
After the led from Castilla, Raul leaves for an impressive 2025 campaign, in which they only suffered one defeat and came close to reaching the play -offs.
Alvaro Arbeloa, who currently coaches the Juvenil A team, is expected to rise next season and replace Raul in Castilla.
Comments