Real Madrid icon Raúl González Blanco has officially resigned from his role as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, amid reports of frustration over the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new first-team manager.
Raúl, who holds the record for the most appearances in Real Madrid history with 741 matches, had long been seen as a potential candidate to succeed outgoing manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, the club opted to hand the senior managerial position to fellow former player Xabi Alonso, prompting Raúl’s decision to step aside.
Since taking charge of Castilla in 2019, Raúl led the team to notable achievements, including winning the UEFA Youth League in 2020 and narrowly missing promotion to Spain’s Segunda División in recent seasons. Despite these successes, his aspirations to manage the senior team were not fulfilled.
Real Madrid released a statement expressing gratitude for Raúl’s contributions over the years, emphasizing that he remains a cherished figure among fans and within the club’s history.
Alvaro Arbeloa, another former Real Madrid player and current youth coach, is expected to take over as head coach of Castilla, continuing the club’s tradition of nurturing coaching talent from within.
Raúl’s departure marks a significant turning point as Real Madrid begins a new era under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, with hopes of restoring the team’s dominance in domestic and European competitions.
