Is Raul a future Real Madrid coach? Legendary striker says he'll 'come back' to Spanish giants but waiting for 'exciting challenge' after ending six-year spell as Castilla boss

Legendary former Madrid striker Raul has promised that he will return to the Santiago Bernabeu one day, hinting that he has set his sights on managing the first team in the future. The iconic ex-No.7 is currently without a job after he left the head coach position at Castilla at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Raul began working as a coach in Madrid's La Fabrica academy before taking on as the B team's manager in 2019. He spent six seasons with Castilla and came agonisingly close to firing the reserves to a promotion to the second division in the 2022-23 season, losing to Eldense in the play-offs. During his spell as Castilla boss, he also took over the reins of the U-19 team in the UEFA Youth League knockouts in 2020 and led them to the title. Despite proving his managerial mettle time and again, he never came close to earning promotion and becoming the first-team head coach.

Speaking about his future on the Con Mucho De podcast, Raul said: "The plan will come on its own. You have to be patient and calm. I have been a coach at Real Madrid Castilla for six years, and I am sure that in the short term some opportunity, some challenge will come that excites me, because I believe that to do things you have to be motivated and you have to feel it."

He also kept doors open to a return to the Chamartin: "I've been at the club where I wanted to be and which is my home, and I know I'll come back again when the time is right, at another time."

Madrid's all-time appearance maker was subject to immense speculation during his time at Castilla, receiving interest from across Europe. He was eyed by Schalke, where he played after leaving Los Blancos as a player. Leeds, too, were reported to have an interest in the Spaniard's services. Most recently, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Raul was linked with the Bayer Leverkusen role. However, the ex-Spain international is currently on a sabbatical, although his words indicate that he is ready to take on his next "challenge" if the right opportunity comes his way.