Raul swaps the Bernabeu legend tag for a touchline hot seat after landing the Real Oviedo job in Spain's second tier.
Raul is officially a manager in his own right. The Real Madrid great has been appointed head coach of Real Oviedo, taking over the Spanish second-division side in his first senior club management job.
Few names carry the weight Raul does in Spanish football. A Bernabeu icon for well over a decade, he won league titles and Champions League crowns in the white shirt and became a symbol of Madrid's modern golden eras. Now he has to prove that the instincts that made him a deadly finisher can translate into tactical leadership.
Oviedo is a proper test. Segunda is a punishing league, with long seasons, tight margins and little patience for big reputations. Raul's task is to give the club a clear identity and get results quickly in a division where momentum can swing in a matter of weeks.
Expect plenty of eyes on Oviedo from here. A legend turned first-time senior boss is always a story, and Raul will want his work on the touchline to speak louder than his playing résumé.
