Villarreal knocked on Raúl’s door and the Real Madrid Castilla coach listened to the La Liga club, as Real Madrid had given him the green light and had a plan B (Álvaro Arbeloa) for Castilla ready.
The proposal was an interesting one, an attractive jump to Spain’s top flight, to a squad with talent and aspirations, in European competition (Europa League) and in good financial health. That’s why Raúl considered it.
But the former Madrid forward eventually told Villarreal it wasn’t for him, and they ended up appointing Pacheta earlier on Saturday. In the talks between Villarreal and Raúl, they discussed the project and the points of view that both the club and Raúl himself had, and that is where the Castilla coach was not 100 per cent convinced. He wasn’t convinced either when Leeds United approached him in February and they got a “no” for an answer.
Villarreal’s organisational structure did not convince Raúl, who enjoys his work at Real Madrid Castilla, where he can develop young talents, sources close to the coach explain to AS. Raúl is also aware that Carlo Ancelotti’s contract expires in 2024 and that the role may be up for grabs at the end of the season.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
