Raúl: Real Madrid legend to manage Castilla as per Zidane
In what the club sees as a smooth progression, another legendary player could follow in the footsteps of current boss, Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid are making headlines around the world for the changes that are being progressed for their first team squad, with presentations expected to begin as soon as the European finals are out of the way. However, there is also some keen interest in the goings on behind the scenes, and one in particular captures Madridista imagination, the return of the legend that is Raúl González Blanco.
Raúl to take over at Castilla
From what AS has learned, Los Blancos' former striker will take the reins of the club's second team next season. This is not dependent on the side getting promotion or not, with the second leg of the play-off quarter-final still to be played (Castilla lead Cartagena 3-1 from the first leg).
The 41-year old's appointment is another example of the continiuity that Madrid is looking for, and follows the same path that recent first team managers Zinedine Zidane and Santiago Solari took into the Bernabéu hotseat. Raúl will arrive with all necessary coaching qualifications and will immediately earn the respect of the young players, many of whom idolise the famous number seven. This past year he has been coaching the younger Cadet B and Juvenil B sides after replacing Álvaro Benito.
Raúl ends his coaching course this Friday, along with other ex-players such as Xabi Alonso (who is heading back to Real Sociedad), Víctor Valdés, Xavi Hernández or Julio Baptista, which will grant him the UEFA Pro License. How long till we see him in front of a capacity Santiago Bernabéu, barking orders from the touchline?