Raúl is the only alternative that emerges on the horizon as an eventual replacement for Zidane. The list of futures that have been considered in other moments in which the Frenchman was in the pillory has been reduced to the now Castilla coach. Mourinho, whose shadow he has planned on several occasions, is settled at Tottenham and Pochettino, a recurring candidate for the Bernabéu bench, has just made a commitment to PSG. That leaves Raúl as the only candidate, although from Argentina they reported yesterday of an alleged interest in Marcelo Gallardo, current River Plate coach.
Paradoxically, the choice of 7 would mean betting again on the Zidane formula. A man of the house, who knows the locker room as a player and experienced as a coach with the current Castilla. And that together with his aptitudes for the position, he brings together the respect and admiration of Real Madrid. The philosophy worked with Zizou, whose successes and honors are there despite the team’s drift, and time has enhanced Solari’s work and decisions, another bet with the same recipe.
Raúl’s commitment to Madrid is beyond doubt. As difficult as the situation is, and despite the bad drink of having to take over from his friend, it is taken for granted that the Castilla coach would take up the challenge if the time came. The great risk, given the situation, is to burn a figure idolized by the white fans and with projection to assume the position successfully in better circumstances.
His Castilla numbers are not dazzling, but neither were Zidane’s. And yet, the subsequent results and his career in the first team demonstrated the difficulty of leading Castilla in the competitive Segunda B with the policy of projection of young people just out of the youth team.
Raul, who is now isolated after testing positive for COVID, yes far exceeded the challenge he faced when he assumed the task of taking the reins of Juvenil A for the assault on the Youth League before the departure of Dani Poyatos. He took a step forward before the need of the club and fulfilled with outstanding. He prepared the team after several months of hiatus due to confinement and led him to win the first title for Madrid in the fledgling history of the youth Champions League
