Raúl, take two

Raúl González Blanco, Real Madrid legend, takes his first senior managerial role at Real Oviedo after seven years leading the club's academy.

Raúl González Blanco, the iconic Real Madrid striker who spent seven years developing young talent at La Fábrica, is stepping into senior management for the first time at Real Oviedo. The 49-year-old Madrid native began his coaching career in August 2018 with Real Madrid's Cadete B side, progressing through the academy ranks to the Castilla team, where he helped deliver the club's first Youth League title.

His tenure in the academy was marked by a methodical approach rooted in old-school football values, emphasizing discipline, respect for the club badge, and humility—principles shaped by his own humble origins as the son of an electrician.

Those close to him describe Raúl as "hypercompetitive," a trait evident both in his playing days and his coaching methods, where he combined constant challenges to his players with genuine mentorship and affection. At Oviedo, a historic club in its own right, Raúl will bring that same commitment to tradition and competitive edge that defined his time at Valdebebas.