Real Oviedo Appoints Real Madrid Legend Raúl González as Head Coach
The former star striker takes on his first professional coaching role with a contract extending through June 2028.
Real Oviedo has officially appointed Raúl González as its new head coach, marking the legendary forward's first venture into professional management. The Spanish club, which currently competes in the Segunda División, announced that the former Real Madrid star signed a contract extending until June 2028.
The coaching change comes after an unexpected leadership decision by club management to dismiss Julián Calero. Although Calero secured a 2-1 victory against Cádiz in his final match, the board chose to replace him amidst the team's ongoing campaign to secure promotion back to the top flight.
Currently, the Asturian club sits in ninth place in the league standings after 13 played matches, standing just a single point away from the playoff qualification zone. By bringing in a figure with such an extensive background in the sport, the institution aims to successfully return to the premier division.
At 49 years old, the newly appointed manager embarks on an unprecedented chapter in his career. His coaching journey previously took place within the youth ranks of Real Madrid, including a six-season tenure managing the reserve side, Castilla, where he notably captured the UEFA Youth League in 2020 with the Under-19 squad.
His illustrious background as a player heavily contributes to the high profile of this appointment. Scoring 323 goals, he remains the third-highest goalscorer in Real Madrid's history, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Furthermore, he represented clubs such as Schalke 04, Al Sadd, and the New York Cosmos, where he finished his playing career in 2015.
On the international stage, he featured for the Spanish national team between 1996 and 2006, making 102 appearances and finding the back of the net 44 times. His extensive expertise in European football will serve as a vital asset as he tackles this new managerial assignment.
His debut is scheduled for this coming Saturday against Girona. The primary objective for the newly minted coach will be lifting Oviedo back into Spain's elite division, following the club's relegation at the conclusion of the previous season.