Another Real Madrid legend departs! Raul to leave role as manager of club's B team as he prepares for final game in charge

The 47-year-old has informed club staff at the Valdebebas training centre that he will part ways with the club's reserve team after their final match of the season, which sees Castilla take on Alcoyano this Saturday. This decision brings to a close a five-year stint that began in 2019, when Raul succeeded Manolo Diaz in the Castilla dugout.

In 2022-23, Castilla came tantalizingly close to earning promotion to the Segunda Division, Spain’s second tier. However, they fell short in the final round of the promotion playoffs, losing to Eldense.

Few figures are as deeply entrenched in Real Madrid’s history as Raul. During his illustrious playing career at the Bernabeu, which spanned from 1994 to 2010, he became synonymous with the club’s identity and success. The former striker claimed an impressive haul of three UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga championships, earning recognition as one of the club’s all-time greats. Raul scored 323 goals in 741 appearances — a record that places him third on the club’s all-time scoring list, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Raul's reputation as a coach has attracted attention beyond Castilla. In recent years, he has been linked to managerial vacancies at clubs such as Schalke, where he remains a beloved figure, and had discussions with Villarreal about potentially stepping into a senior head coach role.

As of now, Raul has not disclosed his next move, leaving speculation open as to whether he will seek a top-flight managerial role in Spain, return to Germany, or explore opportunities elsewhere. What is clear is that his time at Castilla has provided him with valuable experience, honing his leadership skills and tactical philosophy.