Real Oviedo Dismisses Manager Julián Calero and Appoints Raúl González

Real Oviedo has officially announced the dismissal of manager Julián Calero, despite securing a 2-1 victory against Cádiz over the weekend. The Asturian club decided to terminate the contract of the Madrid-born coach alongside his technical staff, ending a four-month tenure that began in June. Raúl González Blanco, the iconic former Real Madrid forward, has been chosen as his immediate successor to lead the team through the remainder of the Segunda División campaign.

The decision to part ways with Calero came after weeks of mounting speculation regarding his future at the club. Although the recent win at the Nuevo Mirandilla pushed Real Oviedo to 21 points after 13 matches, leaving them in ninth place in the standings and close to the promotion playoff spots, the club ownership remained dissatisfied with overall performances and consistency. The board also pointed to an early exit from the Copa del Rey against Numancia as a contributing factor in their choice to change leadership during the international break.

For Raúl González, this appointment represents his first major opportunity to manage a senior professional squad. Since transitioning from his playing career, the 49-year-old coach spent six seasons directing the Real Madrid reserve team, Castilla, from 2019 to 2025. During his tenure with the youth and reserve setups, he oversaw 209 official matches and famously captured the UEFA Youth League title in 2020 by defeating Benfica in the final. Despite various links to top-tier vacancies in the past, Raúl remained within the Real Madrid structure until his departure in mid-2025.

Jesús Martínez, president of Grupo Pachuca and primary stakeholder of Real Oviedo, was heavily convinced by Raúl's coaching profile, personality, and football philosophy. Furthermore, a personal family connection exists between the incoming manager and the organization, as his son currently plays for the club's youth affiliate, Vetusta. At Real Oviedo, Raúl will also cross paths with Romanian forward Alexandru Ișfan, who joined the squad during the summer transfer window.

The managerial change makes Calero's departure the eighth coaching dismissal across the division through the opening 13 weeks of the season. Calero had arrived in Asturias with high expectations following a successful promotion campaign with Levante, but injuries and fluctuating results ultimately eroded the confidence of club executives. In an official statement, Real Oviedo expressed gratitude for Calero's professionalism, dedication, and hard work during his time at the helm.

Stepping out of the developmental environment of Valdebebas and into professional club management brings new responsibilities for Raúl. Real Oviedo maintains clear aspirations of securing promotion back to Spain's top flight, placing immediate pressure on the rookie coach to deliver results every weekend. The new manager is expected to be officially presented in the coming days, with his debut match scheduled following the conclusion of the international break.