Raúl offers himself up to replace Zinedine Zidane
"I'm a Real Madrid man and I'm happy here," Raúl said after Castilla's season was ended in answer to speculation about taking over from Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid Castilla’s season came to an end in the Segunda B playoffs after a 0-0 draw against UD Ibiza saw the Balearic side through to the final and the reserve side’s coach, Raúl González, was asked in his post-match press conference about rumours linking him with the manager’s job at the Bernabéu following reports that Zinedine Zidane is to step down at the end of the season.
Raúl: "I became a coach to coach here"
“Coach the first team? I’m a Real Madrid man and I’m happy here,” the legendary Madrid striker replied. “I became a coach to be at the club I consider home, but now is not the time to talk about it.”
Raúl received a firm offer to return to the Bundesliga as coach of Eintracht Frankfurt but he has yet to make a decision on whether to accept. Frankfurt are currently fifth in the table and go into the final round of fixtures next weekend with Champions League qualification at the expense of Borussia Dortmund still a possibility – an outcome to the campaign that may crystallize Raúl’s thought process.
However, if Zidane does decide to call it a day at the end of the 2020-21 season, it is unlikely Raúl would turn down the chance to make the step up after coaching at various youth levels at Real Madrid.
Speaking about his side’s loss in the playoffs, Raúl added. “Today is a day to be happy because the lads gave it their all for 120 minutes. Either side could have won it today. I’m very proud. There is a great future here. This is not the end; this is the beginning.”