Managerial
La Liga
Raúl said no to Villarreal
Summarised by MatchPal
Raúl, 49, has signed with Real Oviedo until June 2028 to lead the Segunda División side toward promotion, turning down Villarreal in September 2023.
Raúl González Blanco, the Real Madrid legend, has taken on his first senior managerial role at Real Oviedo, signing a contract through June 2028. At 49, he aims to guide the Segunda División club to promotion to La Liga.
Rafa Alkorta, speaking on SER's El Larguero programme, explained Raúl's decision: the Oviedo job represents a significant step after years managing Real Madrid's youth academy (Castilla). Alkorta praised Raúl's personality and the respect he commands as a former player, predicting these qualities will help the team gain points.
Radio host Manu Carreño revealed that Villarreal had pursued Raúl in September 2023 following Quique Setién's sacking, with an agreement nearly finalised, but Raúl declined. He also received offers from Premier League and German clubs before accepting the Oviedo position.
Summary by MatchPal from the original report at mundodeportivo.com. Reporting and images belong to the source.
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Reports on this story
UK times- BBC Sport
- ESPN
- Fabrizio Romano
- Voetbal International
- Diario AS
- NOS
- Kicker
- Matteo Moretto
- Mundo Deportivo
- Corriere dello Sport
- talkSPORT
- Raúl said no to VillarrealMundo DeportivoThis article
- Raúl presented as Real Oviedo manager: 'This is an important day for us'Voetbal International
- Raúl presented: this is the Real Oviedo he wantsMundo Deportivo
- Raúl now managing Oviedo: "I see myself in the future at Oviedo"Diario AS
- Images from Raúl's first training session in charge of Real OviedoDiario AS
Next on TV
UK times
La Liga 2 · Matchweek 14
Real Oviedo v 
GironaSat, 14 Nov 2026
