Real Madrid legend Raul has described himself as a “club person” amid suggestions he could succeed Carlo Ancelotti as head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
Raul joined Madrid as a 15-year-old in 1992 when city rivals Atletico controversially closed their youth setup to cut costs. He became a first-team regular at 17 and by the time of his 2010 departure had played more games (741) and scored more goals (323) than anyone else in the club’s history.
His appearance record still stands, while his goal record has only been surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo (450) and Karim Benzema (354). Raul was also a three-time Champions League winner, as well as collecting six La Liga titles and seven other domestic, European and global trophies.
Although he went on to extend his playing career across the world with Schalke, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos until the age of 38, the Spaniard returned to Madrid in 2018 to begin his coaching career and has been in charge of the club’s B team for the last four years.
Madrid have previously promoted Zinedine Zidane from the role of Castilla head coach to first-team boss with great success, while appointing those who know the club well is often a tactic used by Barcelona. Indeed, the Catalans are currently thriving under the leadership of Xavi.
Asked this week if he might replace Ancelotti, who is out of contract at the end of the season and heavily linked with a transition into international management with Brazil, Raul refused to give much away, stating only his dedication to Real Madrid. But it hints he could be interested.
“I am a club person,” he told Cadena SER.
“I am delighted with what I do, the important thing is to help on a day-to-day basis. Next year, next season, we will know. In this football, there is no next year. There is today and the next game. For Real Madrid it is the Champions League game, and for me the Murcia game on Sunday.”
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