Leeds United considered hiring Real Madrid legend Raul as Marcelo Bielsa’s successor after the Argentine was relieved of his duties in February, according to fresh reports. The 44-year-old was amongst the options to take over in the technical area at Elland Road but Jesse Marsch was ultimately preferred.
A report in Marca claimed that ‘Raul’s name was very much on the table’ as a potential replacement for Bielsa. While many supporters might have had question marks over a move to appoint the three-time Champions League winner because of his relative inexperience, he is a highly sought-after coach.
He is the current manager of Real Madrid Castilla - the reserve team of the club in which Raul achieved legend status – and has been for almost three seasons. In the first of those, he led Real Madrid’s youth side to UEFA Youth League triumph and has continued to improve the team since.
Read more: Ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa 'shortlisted' for return to international management
He ultimately harbours ambitions of managing the first team at Real Madrid and was even mentioned as a potential candidate when Zinedine Zidane left in the summer. However, a role of such size would have come too soon and Raul remained focused on honing his skills as a coach in the lower divisions with Castilla.
His preferred style is similar to the profile that Leeds were looking for as there is a real emphasis on fast, attacking football with pressing a key component. Other teams around Europe have sounded Castilla out in the last 18 months or so regarding the availability of Raul but clubs such as Eintracht Frankfurt and one of his former clubs Schalke were denied in their attempts to prise him away from the Spanish capital.
