Raúl forces good players to run like bad ones

Valdano, who gave Raúl his Real Madrid debut in 1994, discusses the striker's appointment as Real Oviedo manager and his demanding coaching style.

Jorge Valdano, the manager who gave Raúl González Blanco his official Real Madrid debut on 29 October 1994 at age 17 in a 3-2 loss to Real Zaragoza, has spoken about the striker's new role as Real Oviedo manager.

Valdano, who maintains daily contact with Raúl, told La Nueva España that he believes Raúl chose Oviedo because of the city's football passion and the club's hunger to return to the top flight after a brief spell there. "Raúl understands there is a spiritual force surrounding the team that should favour them and give the players a different spirit," Valdano said.

On Raúl's coaching approach, Valdano described him as a man of character with high demands and ambition, though more affable than he appears from outside. "His most notable characteristic is that he likes good players and forces them to run as if they were bad," Valdano explained.

He noted that Raúl's teams play a more vertical style and that commitment is non-negotiable under him. Valdano also highlighted Raúl's success developing young talent at Real Madrid Castilla, where players like Jacobo Ramón, Mario Gila and Nico Paz all developed under his guidance.