Raul is not only highly valued at Real Madrid, but also abroad. His work since he started his career as a coach has not only convinced people within the club, but also other teams who have been calling to try to convince him to sign for them.
Espanyol were the most recent team to call, and they all got the same answer: thanks but a respectful ‘no’ because his priority is Real Madrid.
It is with that mentality and conviction that he began his fourth season in charge of Castilla on Monday, the day of the team’s medical tests.
Months ago, before the appointment of Diego Martinez, Espanyol tried to convince Raul to join the new project they were preparing to build on the foundations that would guarantee a solid future.
Raul was flattered by the ideas presented, but again preferred to remain at Valdebebas.
In winter, as MARCA revealed, he was chosen by Leeds to replace Marcelo Bielsa. It was Victor Orta who took on the leading role to tempt the former Spanish international, but even his involvement was not enough on that occasion.
The renowned sporting director experienced the same sensation as Eintracht Frankfurt did last summer, when they bet heavily on Raul who once more refused to move.
The Castilla coach is in no hurry to take the next step in his career. He is focused on the young players at Castilla, applying his professionalism and knowledge to the rest of the squad, with a holistic structure in mind.
His interest extends to Real Madrid Femenino, according to his staff, where they also appreciate his growth, desire to improve and understanding and awareness the training processes.
Understanding every aspect of Real Madrid
Raul‘s understanding with Carlo Ancelotti is also very good. The same as it was with other specialists at Real Madrid, including Hernan Perez, who was in charge of the Juvenil A team until May, before moving to Lugo.
Perez explained just how he worked alongside Raul and the benefits of a good relationship.
“We had a direct relationship, office to office. He is a legend of the club, he has the same expectations as when he was playing, and that is very important,” Perez detailed to MARCA.
“He has also supported me in bad times, sometimes giving up some players and leaving them to us, like in the Copa del Rey, where he left us four or five that he probably would have needed.
“In terms of preparation and training, I have no doubt that he is ready for the first team. He knows the club very well, he is a true legend, I am convinced that sooner or later he will be coach of Real Madrid.”
Raul‘s relationship with Manu Fernandez, head of the youth academy, and with the board of directors is currently magnificent.
Sources familiar with the situation explain it by pointing to the prominence given by Florentino Perez to his Castilla coach in the events leading up to and after the event of the season, that being the Champions League final in Paris.
The new Castilla
In terms of planning, Raul has been positioning himself as a club man. Upstairs, it has been decided that no one will be let leave, that only those talents for whom there are serious offers will move on, highlighted by the deal that took Mario Gila to Lazio: six million euros for 50 percent of the player’s rights.
For the rest, no matter how many approaches there have been, there have not been any which meet the minimum requirement of covering the value of the players.
Raul, who has received the reinforcements of Noel (from Deportivo) and Alvaro Leiva (from Algeciras), will lead a team that is being built with the same technical plan as the first team.
Without losing sight of the big plans for the future, the club and Raul are working hand in hand to ensure that the development of youngsters who excel on the pitch and who learn the values of Real Madrid continues.
Raul is happy in the city and with the club, which is why he prefers to remain on the bench at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano rather than move away.
Marca
