Real Oviedo’s Raul appointment backed by decisive Real Madrid advice

Real Oviedo president Martin Pelaez says advice from within Real Madrid helped convince the Spanish second-division club to appoint Raul Gonzalez as their new manager.

The decision to bring in the Real Madrid legend has attracted significant attention across Spain, with Oviedo beginning a new era under one of the country’s most recognisable football figures.

Pelaez discussed the appointment in an interview with Marca during the Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Pachuca, Mexico, where the group that owns Real Oviedo is based. He expressed the club’s excitement about working with Raul and thanked the previous coaching staff, led by Julian Calero, for their role in building the team.

Oviedo had been looking for a manager capable of putting their footballing philosophy into practice. Pelaez said the club wanted a brave side that played good football, actively sought victories and took the initiative in attack.

He believes Raul fits those requirements, although the success of the appointment will ultimately be judged by what the team produces on the pitch.

David Hernandez, Real Oviedo’s sporting director, was already familiar with Raul’s work at Real Madrid Castilla. That knowledge strengthened the club’s decision, Pelaez said, while stressing that the appointment was not based solely on Raul’s achievements as a player.

The president also pointed to Raul’s character and standing in the game, saying those qualities could help create a positive atmosphere around the club.

Real Oviedo decided to change their coaching staff despite remaining in contention because the board did not believe the team was performing in the way it wanted. Pelaez said the club therefore wanted to see a different version of Oviedo.

Advice from inside Real Madrid

Pelaez revealed that Oviedo had spoken to several people within Real Madrid and received a range of opinions. One piece of advice, however, stood out.

“Don’t hesitate, there is no need to think about it, Raul is the manager you are looking for,” he was told.

The Oviedo president acknowledged that the club understood the scale of Raul’s name and influence in Spain, but said it had not fully anticipated the level of attention the appointment would generate.

The impact was reflected in the club’s media coverage. Laura, Real Oviedo’s head of communications, usually sends Pelaez a daily press dossier of between 15 and 25 pages. On Raul’s first day, the report contained 139 pages.

That figure, Pelaez said, demonstrated in practical terms the media interest surrounding the former Real Madrid striker.

Real Oviedo’s Spanish second-division listing includes Girona on 14 November 2026.