The Dismissal at Carlos Tartiere
Real Oviedo announced the dismissal of coach Julián Calero on Monday, terminating a contract that ran through June 30, 2027, according to an official club statement reported by MARCA.
The decision affects the entire coaching staff, who also leave the Asturian club with immediate effect. Calero departs despite Oviedo securing a 2-1 victory over Cádiz on Saturday at the Nuevo Mirandilla, where goals from Estanis Pedrola and Ilyas Chaira secured the three points.
El Real Oviedo Destituye a Julián Calero
MARCA reported that the change arrives after several weeks of mounting questions regarding Calero’s continuity at the Carlos Tartiere. El Real Oviedo ha anunciado la destitución de Julián Calero después de que el entrenador dirigiera al equipo asturiano tras su llegada. Grupo Pachuca intended to install an experienced Segunda División manager to lead a push toward promotion. Calero arrived at Oviedo last June after achieving promotion to the Primera División with Levante. His appointment responded to the club’s expectation to place an experienced manager at the helm, familiar with the Segunda División and capable of leading the blues back to the top flight.
Expectations were high following a deep squad renovation, but the team’s performance failed to fully convince the ownership.
Before his departure, the 56-year-old coach had publicly defended his work and his resilience in overcoming difficulties, stating in his final pre-match press conference that he did not need messages of support because he felt strong and convinced of his tactical approaches, while also pointing to injuries as a factor affecting squad selection and collective output. His managerial career includes previous stints directing Burgos, Cartagena, and Levante.
However, mixed league form, a Copa del Rey elimination against Segunda Federación side Numancia, and a home loss to Las Palmas eroded the ownership’s confidence. Goal.com noted that the defeat against Numancia and inconsistent performances amplified pressure from the board, who felt the squad’s technical capacity warranted better results.
The victory in Cádiz lifted Oviedo to 21 points after 13 matches, leaving the club ninth in the Segunda División standings, just one point outside the promotion playoff places, as ESPN Deportes detailed. Those figures comprised six wins, three draws, and four defeats.
Raúl González Emerges as Successor
Raúl González Blanco is positioned to replace Calero as coach, as MARCA first advanced. ESPN Deportes reported that the former Real Madrid Castilla manager has been out of work since June 2025, when his six-season stint with the Madrid youth side concluded between 2019 and 2025. During that time, the reserve team came close to professional football promotion, with Raúl leaving his mark by forging talents such as Nico Paz and Sergio Arribas.
Ahora el ex-Real Madrid tendrá el reto de ascender a un histórico del fútbol español como Real Oviedo, con el grupo mexicano Pachuca —máximo accionista del club— llevándolo en el punto de mira desde hace semanas para dar un golpe de efecto a la competición.
Fichajes.com noted that Raúl, 49, fits the profile sought by the Asturian leadership. Jesús Martínez, president of Grupo Pachuca, favors Raúl’s personality, football philosophy, and background, according to Goal.com. A familial tie also connects the former Spain striker to the club, as his son plays for Oviedo’s youth affiliate, Vetusta.
ESPN Deportes added that Raúl intends to bring Marcos Jiménez onto his coaching staff as assistant, replicating their collaboration from Valdebebas, with Marcos having previously served as his assistant at Real Madrid Castilla and coming off a stint coaching Real Madrid Juvenil B until finishing his time at Valdebebas the previous term.
Raúl made headlines last summer when he was named sporting director in Enrique Riquelme's candidacy for the Real Madrid presidency, though he made no public appearances.
Immediate Fixture Pressures
Calero will not be on the bench for Oviedo’s upcoming league fixture against Girona at the Carlos Tartiere on Saturday. The club confirmed through its official website that the outgoing manager will not direct the team in training or upcoming matches, closing out his second spell at the institution following a 2016-17 stint as Fernando Hierro’s assistant.
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